William J. Plitouke saved Jeanne L. Bedard from drowning, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, January 10, 1960. While skating on a pond, Jeanne, 15, broke through the ice 150 feet from the bank into water 15 feet deep and called for help. Her father and two other men made separate attempts to reach her, but each broke through the ice. They were aided to safety by other persons, including Plitouke. Jeanne then disappeared beneath the surface. Starting 50 feet from the hole, Plitouke, 46, foreman, skated toward it as fast as he could, made a 15-foot jump over the weak ice, and landed in the hole, which was eight feet in diameter. He submerged and located Jeanne, who was floating inert three feet below the surface near the edge of the hole. Plitouke brought Jeanne to the surface and towed her to the opposite side of the hole, which was nearer safe ice. Supporting her, he broke a path ahead of him for four feet and reached firm ice. Unable to lift Jeanne out of the water, Plitouke took hold of her and hoisted her onto the ice. His action caused him to be submerged briefly. Other persons, crawling flat on the ice, drew Jeanne away from the hole and aided Plitauke out of the water. Plitouke then revived Jeanne with artificial respiration. She recovered. 44965-4387
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44965-4387