John L. Schutt saved Jon J. Druggan from drowning, Warren, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1967. While working at night at Kinzua Dam, Druggan, 23, mechanic, fell into the Allegheny River and in the very cold water was carried downstream by the swift current. Schutt, 29, mechanic, was attracted and ran 550 feet to a cofferdam at a point downstream from Druggan, who had removed his jacket and tool belt but still was hampered by the rest of his clothing. Having spotted Druggan with a flashlight, Schutt tied a heavy electrical cord to a post and by it descended 10 feet to the water. He swam 35 feet diagonally across the current and reached Druggan in water 10 feet deep. Druggan had been submerged briefly several times and was gasping for breath. Schutt took hold of Druggan and towed him 30 feet toward the cofferdam. By then Schutt was so cold that Druggan slipped from his grasp and started to sink. Schutt quickly regained a hold on Druggan and moved with him into an area of water four feet deep alongside the cofferdam, the vertical side of which provided insufficient holds for climbing out. Schutt supported Druggan, who was so near exhaustion that he could not stand in the wadable water without aid. A crane was moved to the scene and used to remove Druggan and then Schutt from the water.
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