Joseph C. Wiest rescued Frank A. Simmer, Jr. from burning, Butler, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1970. In a steel plant, Simmer, 57, first helpers, fell into a slag pit where very hot slag covered the concrete floor except at the corners. Simmer dropped 27 feet and landed in one of the corner areas, sustaining serious injuries. Wiest, 35, floor helper, ran to the open end of the pit, where slag blocked his access to Simmer. Trusting his heavy-soled shoes to protect him from the heat of the slag and hoping to avoid breaking through its crust, Wiest stepped onto the slag and hurried about 25 feet to Simmer. In the intense heat of the pits he hoisted Simmer over his shoulder and started back across the slag. He had nearly reached the end of the pit when he slipped and fell to a seated position, still holding Simmer. Another workman stepped onto the slag, extended a hand to Wiest, and aided him to his feet. Wiest then continued the rest of the way across the slag, carrying Simmer. Both men were hospitalized for burns, Simmer also being treated for shock and his injuries. Wiest recovered; Simmer died.
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