Zoltan E. Gottwald died after helping to save Michelle L. Scara from drowning, Justice, Illinois, December 1, 1972. Michelle, 3, wandered onto snow-covered ice atop a pond and broke through in an area where the water was as much as seven feet deep. Gottwald, 49, maintenance man, made his way to the hole in the ice where Michelle was thrashing about in the water. The ice broke under Gottwald, who swam five feet to Michelle and took hold of her. A woman who had noted the situation then reached the hole. She extended her arm; and Gottwald pushed Michelle to her. The ice then broke under the woman; but she retained her hold on Michelle and found footing in a less deep area. She called to Gottwald to join them, but for some reason he made no move to do so. Firemen and others arrived. They removed Michelle and the woman; but before they could get Gottwald, he drowned. 53064-5992
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