John C. Wickes saved Elliot J. Gillard from drowning, Boston, Massachusetts, March 7, 1940. Elliot, 10, broke through ice near the bank of Muddy River, became confused, and broke ice and swam to a point 20 feet from the bank, where the water was six feet deep. Snow covered the ice. Wickes, 35, city councilor, who was clothed, stepped from the bank and then jumped through broken ice into water four feet deep. Shocked by the cold water, he swam 15 feet to Elliot, took hold of him, and swam a stroke or two toward the bank. A man waded 12 feet from the bank and in water neck-deep tossed an end of a scarf to Wickes, who with Elliot was pulled to wadable water.
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