Keith N. Tempest saved Harry Bilagody, Jr., from drowning, Salt Lake City, Utah, January 17, 1959. When Harry, 14, schoolboy, a poor swimmer, walked onto an ice covered pond, he broke through the ice 25 feet from the bank and fell into water eight feet deep. Harry clung to the ice at the edge of the hole and called for help. Keith, 13, schoolboy, walked cautiously onto the ice and, dropping to a prone position, crawled to within two feet of the hole, which was five feet in diameter. Grasping Harry by the wrists, he attempted to pull him out of the hole. The ice then broke beneath Keith, and he was plunged into the water but was not completely submerged. Harry began working his arms frantically to stay afloat. Keith placed one arm around Harry’s waist and towed him to the edge of the enlarged hole. Following Keith’s instructions, Harry broke the ice ahead of them as Keith towed him toward the bank and also aided in breaking the ice. Eight feet from the bank they reached firm ice. Treading water, Keith hoisted Harry partially onto the ice, and two other boys pulled them from the water. All reached the bank safely. 44979-4378
44979 – 4378
44979-4378