Lyle Allen Roger Olsen saved Eileen M. and Raymond C. Gosselin and Charlene K. Rheindel from drowning, Roche Percee, Saskatchewan, July 14, 1963. When a motorboat containing seven persons capsized in a large water-filled coal pit 120 feet wide and with high vertical sides, three girls swam 30 feet to the nearest side and climbed onto a small ledge. Of the others, none of whom could swim, the young man operating the boat clung to the overturned craft, while Mrs. Gosselin, 20, held to a buoyant seat cushion on which she had placed Raymond, 2. Charlene, 11, sank briefly and then grasped Mrs. Gosselin. Both were submerged and lost consciousness, Charlene sinking in water at least 30 feet deep. Lyle, 15, schoolboy, was attracted and swam 150 feet to Mrs. Gosselin, who was floating face down. He towed her to the ledge, where she was revived. After Lyle also had towed Raymond to the ledge, the girls pointed to where Charlene had sunk. Already quite tired, Lyle swam to the indicated spot and made a surface dive but was unable to reach the bottom. After resting briefly, he submerged again and descended rapidly to the bottom. He swam about, searching for Charlene, and was beginning to feel dizzy by the time he found her. Lyle took her to the surface and towed her to within five feet of the ledge. A man arrived and aided Lyle in taking Charlene the rest of-the way and in reviving her. Another man saved the young man holding to the overturned boat.
46949 – 4838
46949-4838