John P. Pastva, 31, survey corps transitman, died helping to save Alan E. Miller, 20, survey corps chainman, from suffocation, Green Tree, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1953. Miller was overcome from a deficiency of oxygen in a sewer manhole 60 feet deep and slumped to the bottom in water a foot deep. Visibility into the manhole from ground level was limited to 30 feet. Miller’s foreman and two other workmen called to him but got no response. Pastva immediately began to descend the manhole ladder as the others lowered a 100-foot rope into the manhole beside him. As he disappeared from view in the darkness, Pastva coughed and exclaimed that the air was bad. Reaching Miller, Pastva tied the rope securely to him. Tugging on the rope, the men at the surface found it was taut and with great effort drew Miller out of the manhole. The rope again was lowered to the bottom. Pastva was heard moaning and breathing heavily. Shortly afterward a fireman who wore an oxygen mask and had a rope tied to him descended the ladder with a flashlight and found Pastva seated inert in the water. He fastened the other rope around Pastva and climbed the ladder steadying Pastva as the others drew them to the surface. Pastva was pronounced dead by a physician. Miller was disabled four months. 3892-42993
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