Matthew J. Cepolunis, 40, gang foreman, attempted to save James Jennis, 40, laborer, from suffocation, Worcester, Massachusetts, February 23, 1923. Jennis was overcome by carbon dioxide while he was sweeping chestnut wood extract to an opening in the bottom of a tank car. Cepolunis held his breath and descended a ladder into the tank and raised Jennis to his feet. He supported Jennis for a step or two toward the ladder, then, taking a breath, he became too weak to raise Jennis and climbed the ladder. Cepolunis was gasping when he was helped from the ladder. A little later a rope was brought, and Cepolunis, holding his breath, took hold of the rope and entered the tank. While attempting to tie the rope around Jennis, Cepolunis again became weak. He put one foot on the ladder to ascend but fell unconscious, knocking the ladder out of position. Later a man with a rope tied around him went into the tank on another ladder, tied a rope around Cepolunis, and left the tank. Cepolunis was drawn out and revived after a half-hour but was disabled three days. Jennis was later taken out of the tank by means of a hook. He was dead. 23125-2064
23125 – 2064
23125-2064