Richard P. Moten

Richard P. Moten saved Jon Stanger from suffocation, Escondido, California, February 11, 2003. At work on an equipment upgrade, Stanger, 35, was overcome and lay unconscious at the bottom of an underground sump, which was above a gasoline storage tank on the premises of a convenience store. Atmosphere in the sump was deficient in oxygen, and gasoline fumes there were at an explosive level. A customer in the store, Moten, 50, plumber, was alerted to the situation. He immediately responded to the sump’s ground-level opening, from where he saw Stanger and detected fumes. Moten then dropped about six feet to the bottom of the confined space and grasped Stanger. He found a foothold about two feet above the sump’s floor and used that as he hoisted Stanger up to others at ground level. They pulled Stanger from the sump, then aided Moten out. Stanger revived at the scene but was taken to the hospital for observation. Moten was given oxygen at the scene then also was taken to the hospital for observation. They recovered.