Roy J. Bartlett

Roy J. Bartlett, 26, sewage plant operator, helped to save Robert G. Hatem, 34, sewage plant attendant, from suffocation, Columbus, Ohio, July 3, 1966. At a sewage treatment plant Hatem entered a valve pit eight feet deep on the bottom of which there was a foot of sludge. Before he could make the necessary repairs, Hatem was overcome due to a deficiency of oxygen. He slumped across one of the valves 18 inches above the bottom of the pit. Finding Hatem unconscious in the pit, Bartlett summoned Kenneth B. Cunningham to help remove him. Bartlett descended a ladder at the corner of the pit, and Cunningham followed him. Bartlett raised Hatem’s arm, and Cunningham took hold of it; but they were unable to lift him. Sending Cunningham to get assistance, Bartlett waited in the pit to make sure Hatem did not fall into the sludge and suffocate. Although he began to feel faint, Bartlett tried to lift Hatem but could not do so because the latter’s feet were under a rung of the ladder. While trying to free Hatem, Bartlett was overcome and collapsed with his chest covering Hatem’s head. After telephoning Hershal B. Sargent, Cunningham returned to the sludge pit, found Bartlett slumped over Hatem, and decided that gas had caused them to lose consciousness. Cunningham descended the ladder and took hold of Bartlett but could not lift him. He pulled Bartlett to an upright position free of Hatem’s head and propped him against the ladder. Climbing out of the pit, Cunningham sought assistance. He met Sargent and reported the situation. Sargent said it must be gas. They went to seek ropes and other help. Cunningham and Sargent returned to the pit with John A. Faulkner, Kenneth L. Green, and two other workmen. Faulkner held his breath and descended the ladder. He took hold of Bartlett but could not lift him. Faulkner, who had a respiratory condition, left the pit. Holding his breath, Sargent descended the ladder with a looped rope while the men held the other end. Sargent lifted Bartlett’s arms and slipped the loop to around his chest. Sargent found breathing difficult in the pit and climbed out. He assisted the others in pulling on the looped rope, which slipped over Bartlett’s arms. Green immediately descended the ladder. He lifted Bartlett’s arms, placed the rope around his chest again, and drew it tight. Sargent re-entered the pit to assist and then climbed back out. Green had begun to feel dizzy by the time he had secured the rope around Bartlett. Sargent and Cunningham reached down into the pit and took hold of Bartlett’s arms, which Green raised to them before climbing out of the pit. By means of the rope and with Sargent and Cunningham pulling on his arms, Bartlett was removed from the pit. Green began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Sargent was about to re-enter the pit for Hatem when the rescue squad arrived. Wearing masks, they removed Hatem. Bartlett, Hatem, and Green, who had become nauseated, were removed to hospitals. Green was treated and released. Hatem regained consciousness the next day and recovered in three weeks. Bartlett was unconscious for two months and was hospitalized three months longer.