Joseph F. Wilson, Jr., 21, machine operator, helped to save Bonnie Sue Barringer, 8, and attempted to save Diana Lee Barringer, 6, from drowning, Winthrop, Massachusetts, December 30, 1950. Bonnie and her sister Diana broke through ice on Lewis Lake into water 12 feet deep 75 feet from the bank. From the opposite bank, Wilson crawled 220 feet to the hole, which was five feet in diameter, and extended a hand toward the girls. He broke through the ice, was submerged briefly, and took hold of Bonnie and Diana. Supporting the girls for five minutes, Wilson became tired and numbed; and at his instruction Bonnie took hold of the ice for support. Wilson towed Diana to the opposite side of the hole and clung to it. Two policemen and a number of other persons including Eileen C. Gore and her husband and William Noel Egan reached the far bank. The policemen stepped onto the ice but broke through in shallow water. Removing her raincoat and shoes, Mrs. Gore ran 225 feet on the ice to the edge of the hole opposite Bonnie and dropped to her hands and knees. The ice suddenly gave way beneath Mrs. Gore, and she fell into the water. Bonnie lost her hold and flailed her arms to stay afloat. As Mrs. Gore emerged nearby Bonnie grasped her around the neck, but complied with Mrs. Gore’s request that she climb onto her back instead. Egan crawled pushing a board to the edge of the ice opposite Wilson. The husband of Mrs. Gore crawled to within five feet of the hole in which she trod water supporting Bonnie. He extended a board to Mrs. Gore, and she grasped it. Egan broke through the ice, causing Wilson to lose his hold on Diana. The hole was enlarged to 10 feet in diameter. Egan took hold of Diana and towed her to the edge of the ice. Donald R. Troy crawled to within three feet of the hole and threw an end of a rope to Wilson, who tied it around his waist. In attempting to assist Mrs. Gore from the hole, her husband broke through the ice, enlarging the hole to 15 feet. Mrs. Gore continued to support Bonnie, and her husband supported her with the aid of the floating board. As Troy pulled on the rope, Wilson attempted to climb from the hole and accidentally kicked Egan, who lost his hold on Diana. She sank and did not reappear. Egan groped beneath the surface but was unable to locate Diana. Three men waded 35 feet breaking ice and extended a long sapling to Mrs. Gore and her husband, who were assisted to the bank. Firemen threw Troy an end of a longer rope, which he tied to the other rope. As Troy and two firemen on the end of an extension ladder took hold of Wilson’s arms, the ice gave way; and all were submerged briefly. They grasped the rope tied to Wilson and were pulled with him to the bank. Firemen removed Egan to the bank in a rowboat and later recovered the body of Diana. Bonnie was hospitalized three days. Wilson was numbed and almost exhausted but recovered in two weeks. 42393-3734
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