Mitchell V. Bulat, Sr., 35, truck driver, saved Paul F. Trombley, 13, schoolboy, from drowning, Springfield, Massachusetts, December 29, 1954. While pushing a bicycle, Paul broke through ice on a pond into deep water 100 feet from the bank, making a hole six feet long and three feet wide. The bicycle sank to the bottom. He was unable to climb from the water and called for help, attracting Bulat, who ran 700 feet to the bank, removed most of his clothing, and went onto the ice. As he advanced to within 25 feet of Paul, Bulat also broke through the ice. He was submerged briefly and, breaking the ice ahead of him, swam to Paul. Obtaining a hold on Paul, Bulat swam back in the passage he had made to the edge of the ice, which broke up for a distance of three feet as Bulat repeatedly tried to lift Paul from the water. He shoved on Paul and finally succeeded in raising him onto the ice. Paul crawled to the bank. Bulat attempted to climb from the water, but the ice would not support his weight and broke up for an additional three feet. A man who reached the bank made his way on the ice to 45 feet from Bulat and threw an end of a rope to him. Two other men who arrived assisted the man in pulling Bulat out of the water and thence to the bank. Paul and Bulat suffered from shock and exposure, and Bulat also sustained numerous cuts. Both he and Paul recovered. 43349-3990
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