Gilbert H. Higgins, 51, salesman, saved Edward L. Nelson, Jr., 14, schoolboy, from drowning, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, December 16, 1944. While walking on ice on Wildwood Lake, Edward broke through into water eight feet deep and extended his arms on the ice at a point 60 feet from the bank. After two men who bad broken ice and waded six feet had returned to the bank because of the coldness of the water, Higgins got on a ladder 40 feet long that firemen extended on the ice toward Edward. Higgins pulled himself forward on it for 20 feet from the bank, and then ice broke under the ladder. Lowering himself in the water beside the ladder, Higgins held to it and broke ice toward Edward. A coil of rope was thrown to Higgins, who continued to the end of the ladder. Treading water, he with difficulty broke ice to within 10 feet of Edward and then threw one end of the rope to him. Edward grasped the rope, and Higgins swam to the ladder and pulled Edward to it. Both held to it, and Higgins held Edward’s arm, and they were pulled to the bank. Higgins collapsed from exposure but recovered. 40357-3442
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