Joseph Francis Pomarico attempted to save Edward Nameth from drowning, Beacon, New York, February 7, 1944. Edward, 6, fell from ice that extended 10 feet from the bank of Fishkill Creek into water six feet deep and flailed his arms. Pomarico, 46, truck driver, who was heavily clothed, was on the opposite bank. He walked on ice that extended 10 feet from the bank, and dived, breaking submerged ice an inch thick that extended 15 feet farther from the bank. Swimming 10 feet, he rose clear of the ice and swam in open water 85 feet to within 23 feet of Edward, who then sank. Pomarico trod water and watched for Edward to rise, but Edward did not reappear. Pomarico, who was becoming numb and was hampered by his clothing, swam back to the ice near the point where he had entered the water. Six times he attempted to get out of the water but slipped back. A man, who brought boards and laid them on the ice, walked on the boards and pulled Pomarico upon the ice. Pomarico was numb and suffered minor lacerations of the forehead and face. Edward was drowned. 40171-3394
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