Robert Mandeikis, 21, laborer, died attempting to save William E. Stevens, 9, from drowning, Brockton, Massachusetts, January 21, 1950. William broke through ice on Waldo Lake into water 10 feet deep 75 feet from the bank. Mandeikis skated 60 feet to the hole, which was two feet in diameter, lay prone on the ice, and took hold of William. A man who was a good swimmer lay behind Mandeikis and held his ankles. The ice broke beneath Mandeikis; and he dropped into the water, enlarging the hole to six feet. Releasing Mandeikis, the other man skated to the bank. Mandeikis swam supporting William. The other man returned to within 10 feet of the hole with two blankets tied together and threw an end of one to Mandeikis, who grasped it. In attempting to pull Mandeikis and William from the hole, the man broke through into wadable water and lost his hold on the blankets. Mandeikis sank with William. Climbing from the hole, the man returned to the bank and summoned aid. Mandeikis and William were brought to the bank within an hour but could not be revived. 41991-3723
41991 – 3723
41991-3723