Richard Leroy Zirn, 12, schoolboy, saved Cheryl J. Czajka, 12, Louise Ann Pedee, and David T. Nowakowski, each 12, from drowning, Toledo, Ohio, December 21, 1965. Cheryl, Louise Ann, David, Susanne M. Kalinowski, another girl, and Raymond Puhy were walking across an ice-covered pond when the ice gave way over an area six feet in diameter, and they were submerged briefly in water six to seven feet deep 125 feet from the bank. Richard, who was near the bank, decided to give aid. While he made his way cautiously to within two feet of where Cheryl was holding to the ice, Louise Ann and Susanne climbed out. Richard grasped Cheryl’s arm but lost his hold and dropped to a seated position. He then took hold of Cheryl by both arms and drew her out of the water. Meanwhile Louise Ann had started to crawl away from the hole but returned to aid David. Lying prone, she extended her hands to him. When he grasped her hands and attempted to climb out, Louise Ann slid into the hole, breaking off some ice. David and Louise Ann each obtained a hold at the edge of the hole. At the same time Susanne, who also had crawled away from the hole, returned to aid Raymond. She removed her jacket, extended it to him, and pulled him partially out of the hole. Raymond then fell back into the water, and Susanne slid into the hole. After removing Cheryl, Richard crawled to where Louise Ann was holding to the ice. In a prone position he took hold of her by the arm, moved back, and pulled her onto the ice. Sending Cheryl and Louise Ann to get help, Richard moved to opposite David and took hold of him. He aided David onto the ice, and they crawled back from the hole. Susanne called for help. Richard and David crawled to opposite Susanne, and each took hold of her. The ice cracked under Richard, and he slid into the hole. David, who had moved back when the ice cracked, crawled to within a foot of the hole, which then was about eight feet in diameter. He extended his hands to Richard, who grasped them and climbed out of the water. By that time Raymond had disappeared, and the other girl had lost consciousness. Thomas F. Clifton arrived at the pond and crawled to within 30 feet of David and Richard, who were opposite Susanne. Clifton told them to get a rope from his automobile and said he would get Susanne. Richard and David crawled away from the hole and ran to the bank. Clifton continued to the hole and extended his hands to Susanne. The ice broke under him, and he fell into the hole. He supported Susanne while treading water. David ran to dwelling to get a ladder, and Richard returned to the pond with a 12-foot rope. Richard moved to within eight feet of the hole, where Clifton was trying to lift Susanne onto the ice. The fire department rescue squad and police arrived as Richard threw one end of the rope into the water. A man ran to the hole and entered the water. Susanne was lifted onto the ice. She grasped the rope, and Richard pulled her away from the hole. While Susanne continued to the bank, Richard threw the end of the rope to Clifton, who then climbed out of the water. Rescue personnel removed the other man and the other girl. She died on the way to the hospital. The body of Raymond was recovered later.
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