William O. Sullivan died saving Vernon Elliott from suffocation, West Norfolk, Virginia, December 5, 1933. Elliott, 22, was overcome by hydrogen sulphide in a leaching tank eight feet square and five feet deep, the top being level with the floor of the tank room. Over the tank from three sides a hood of lath and tarred paper rose five feet from the floor to a flue that extended through the roof of the building. As Sullivan, 35, machinist, was about to enter the tank to render aid, Legh R. Watts Riddick asked him to wait until he could get a rope. Sullivan, who was familiar with the danger of being overcome by gas, immediately descended a ladder to Elliott, lifted him, and began to boost him up the ladder. He pushed Elliott’s arms upward, and men at the top, leaning over, took hold of Elliott’s arms and pulled him out of the tank. Sullivan then was overcome and fell face down on the bottom. Riddick brought a rope 30 feet long. While a man held the rope, Riddick, holding one end of it and holding his breath, jumped into the tank, stooped, raised Sullivan by his shoulders, and slipped the rope under him below his armpits. Riddick took a breath and handed the end of the rope to men at the top. He reached up, and men pulled him out of the tank. Sullivan then was pulled up, but close to the top his body caught under a beam. Riddick again jumped into the tank and pulled Sullivan from under the beam. Riddick was considerably affected, and a man reached into the tank and quickly drew him up the ladder. Sullivan could not be revived. Elliott was revived. 33745-2817
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