Virginia R. Johnston, 35, housewife, saved Charles J. Patalon, 7, from drowning, Condon, Montana, December 16, 1954. Charles broke through ice on Holland Creek into deep water 22 feet from the bank and repeatedly was submerged in a hole four feet in diameter. The air temperature was 28 degrees. Mrs. Johnston, who was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, learned of the accident and ran 150 feet to the bank from her home. She saw only the cap and a glove of Charles. Mrs. Johnston, who was a poor swimmer, walked cautiously to within a foot of the hole but still could not see Charles and jumped into the water. Clinging to the edge of the ice, she probed with her feet, located Charles, and raised him slightly with one foot. Seizing Charles by his jacket, she drew him to the surface. Ice broke off at the edge of the hole as Mrs. Johnston tried to lift Charles from the water. Kicking her feet and breaking ice ahead of her with her free arm, she made a path in the ice two feet wide and towed Charles 20 feet to wadable water. She stood up, heaved Charles onto firm ice at the bank, and climbed from the water. She and Charles were assisted home by others 30 minutes later. Charles had swallowed water and was dazed and chilled but recovered. Mrs. Johnston, who had been in the water six minutes, was weak and badly chilled and had a miscarriage the following morning. 43537-4012
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