Niles A. Gurnsey saved Michelle C. Patenaude from drowning, Wolfe Island, Ontario, January 18, 1970. When the automobile in which Miss Patenaude, 22, and others were riding plunged off a dock into the St. Lawrence River and began to sink, all escaped from the vehicle. The others swam to the dock and climbed out; but Miss Patenaude remained 20 feet from it in water 18 feet deep and several times sank briefly beneath the surface. Niles, 17, high school student, who was on the dock, removed his jacket and shoes and entered the water, which contained much broken ice. As Niles reached Miss Patenaude, she lost consciousness. He took hold of her and began towing her through the ice filled water. They were submerged briefly once as Niles took Miss Patenaude to the dock, where they again went under momentarily in deep water. Others then aided them onto the dock. Miss Patenaude revived and recovered.
51181 – 5699
51181-5699