John E. Gordon, 20, farmhand, saved Abraham L. Kinsey, 52, well-digger, from suffocation, Villanow, California, July 8, 1952. While removing debris from a well 32 feet deep in which a motor-driven pump had been used, Kinsey was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes given off by the pump and slumped inert to the bottom in water 18 inches deep, his head resting against a wall. Visibility in the well was poor, and Kinsey could not be seen from the surface, although his gasps were audible. Gordon arrived at the well with four other men 10 minutes after the accident and volunteered to aid Kinsey. He was lowered to the bottom standing in a bucket attached to a windlass rope. Gordon lifted Kinsey to a sitting position. Disengaging the windlass rope from the bucket, he tied it securely to Kinsey’s waist. At his signal, Kinsey was drawn to the surface. By that time, Gordon felt the effects of the fumes and began breathing rapidly. The men quickly removed the rope from Kinsey, who had ceased to breath, and lowered it to Gordon, and he was pulled out of the well. Kinsey was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at a hospital and was revived. Gordon was pale and extremely nervous but recovered. 3828-42631
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