John J. McLay, 31, assistant manager of a tree nursery, saved Brian B. Monagle, 2, and Joseph R., 2, and Catherine H. Norton, 2, and attempted to save Joan C. Monagle, 25, from drowning, Cambridge. Massachusetts, June 3, 1953. A two-door sedan containing Brian and his brother and mother, and Joseph, Catherine, and their mother crashed through a guardrail near the end of a bridge and plunged into the Charles River, settling to the bottom upside down in deep water eight feet from the bank. Three wheels barely protruded above the water. A man reached Brian’s brother and Mrs. Norton, who rose near the sedan, and aided them to the bank. The others in the sedan were thrown from the seats and lost consciousness, Mrs. Monagle being pinned beneath the steering wheel. Apprised of the accident, McLay disrobed to his underdrawers, descended an embankment, and swam to the sedan. He submerged and removed seat cushions blocking one doorway and groped inside the rear compartment. He found Brian and Joseph and brought them separately to the surface, and they were taken to the bank. Resuming his search, McLay swam to the doorway and extended his entire body into the sedan. Groping for six feet, he touched Catherine and drew her outside and thence to the surface. She was taken to the bank. McLay again submerged and entered the front compartment but could not locate Mrs. Monagle. He rose for air and swam around the sedan to the driver’s side. Submerging and opening the door, he shoved the driver’s seat back into normal position and found Mrs. Monagle. Aided by a policeman who swam to the doorway, McLay freed Mrs. Monagle. She was removed to the bank by McLay and others but could not be revived. Brian, Joseph, and Catherine were revived and recovered. McLay was extremely tired. 3880-42872
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