L. Michael Maloney died attempting to save Vernon W. Oesch from drowning, Bayfield, Ontario, July 13, 1967. Maloney, 19, student, and Oesch, 42, laborer, were working with a crew that was filling in the outer end of a pier which was formed by interlocking pilings and which extended into Lake Huron. Oesch, who could not swim, fell into the uncompleted section of the pier, where the water was ten to twelve feet deep. Maloney ran along beams over the open section and jumped into the water fully clothed. He swam to Oesch and began pushing him toward the end of the open area where earthen fill sloped into the water. Oesch struggled with Maloney. Another workman made his way onto a beam extending over the water. By then Oesch had disappeared and Maloney was beneath the surface. As Maloney returned to the surface, a workman extended a hand. Maloney reached toward the man’s hand but then sank again and did not reappear. Others arrived, and Oesch and Maloney were removed from the water. They could not be revived.
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