Roy J. Bartlett, 26, sewage plant operator, helped to save Robert G. Hatem, 34, sewage plant attendant, from suffocation, Columbus, Ohio, July 3, 1966. At a sewage treatment plant Hatem entered a valve pit eight feet deep on the bottom of which there was a foot of sludge. Before he could make the necessary repairs, Hatem was overcome due to a deficiency of oxygen. He slumped across one of the valves 18 inches above the bottom of the pit. Finding Hatem unconscious in the pit, Bartlett summoned Kenneth B. Cunningham to help remove him. Bartlett descended a ladder at the corner of the pit, and Cunningham followed him. Bartlett raised Hatem’s arm, and Cunningham took hold of it; but they were unable to lift him. Sending Cunningham to get assistance, Bartlett waited in the pit to make sure Hatem did not fall into the sludge and suffocate. Although he began to feel faint, Bartlett tried to lift Hatem but could not do so because the latter’s feet were under a rung of the ladder. While trying to free Hatem, Bartlett was overcome and collapsed with his chest covering Hatem’s head. After telephoning Hershal B. Sargent, Cunningham returned to the sludge pit, found Bartlett slumped over Hatem, and
49000 – 5228
49000-5228