Peter F. McCauley, 13, schoolboy, saved Harold K. Thieling, 10, and died as the result of attempting to save Frederick J. Shields, 11, from drowning, Melrose, Massachusetts, February 24, 1953. Harold, Frederick, and another boy broke through ice on a pond in Pine Banks Park into water five to six feet deep 50 feet from the bank, making a hole 20 feet long and 12 feet wide. They rose screaming for help at the edge of the hole. The companion of Harold and Frederick climbed onto the ice and reached the bank safely. Peter, who was a poor swimmer and wore heavy clothing, was playing at the opposite bank 150 feet from the hole. He walked rapidly on the ice to the edge of the hole, extended a stick to Harold, and drew him from the water. Harold quickly made his way to the bank. Before Frederick could take hold of the stick, ice broke beneath Peter and an older boy who was nearing the hole, and they dropped into the water. The hole was enlarged by three feet. Frederick floundered and attempted to reach the opposite side of the hole, and Peter swam 10 feet toward him. Both suddenly sank and were drowned. Maintaining a hold on the ice, the older boy probed with one foot and touched bottom. A man advanced from the far bank to within 12 feet of the hole before breaking through the ice. He worked his way to the boy by breaking ice with his hands. Supporting himself at the edge of the hole with his toes touching the bottom, he took hold of the boy. A rope was thrown between them by another man and landed on the boy’s shoulder. Five minutes later firemen in a boat made a passage in the ice and moved to the hole. They removed the boy and man to the bank and later recovered the bodies of Frederick and Peter. 3863-42862
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