Ralph H. Pitcher helped to save Jeanette Graves from drowning, Baldwinsville, New York, January 29, 1952. While pulling a sled with her younger sister at the edge of a shelf of ice extending 50 feet from the bank of the Seneca River, Jeanette, 7, who could not swim, broke through and was immersed in very cold water eight feet deep. The air temperature was six degrees above zero. She clung to the sled held by her sister, and both girls called for help. Pitcher, 31, invalid, who was convalescing from an operation, and others were attracted and reached the bank. Running to the edge of the ice, Pitcher took hold of Jeanette as the other girl released the sled and went to the bank. A slab of ice broke off beneath Pitcher; and he fell into the water and was submerged briefly, momentarily losing his hold on Jeanette. The sled sank. Pitcher clasped Jeanette to his chest and trod water at the edge of the shelf. More ice broke off as Pitcher tried to lift Jeanette from the water. From the bank another man threw an end of a rope to Pitcher, who was weakening rapidly. Others attempted to pull Jeanette and Pitcher out of the water, but the ice at the edge would not support them and repeatedly broke off. With great effort Pitcher swung Jeanette onto the ice, and a woman dragged Jeanette to the bank. Pitcher was drawn eight feet by the rope to a firmer section of the ice and was aided to the bank after being in the water for seven minutes. Jeanette suffered from exposure and had a severe cold for 10 days. Pitcher was exhausted but recovered. 42514-3807
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