Posted on 07/28/2006 8:53:22 AM PDT by Marius3188
B.C. woman clung to selfless hero in icy sea until he 'just froze to death'
Adrift in the icy Bering Sea, Tom Grissom took hold of the precious life-ring that could have saved him -- and handed it off to save a friend instead.
The decision, described by friends as typical of his character and by coast guard officials as heroic, cost Grissom his life Sunday night.
The ring that Grissom handed to Amanda Delisle kept her afloat for an hour in the 11 C water after the two were tossed, along with two co-workers, into the frigid waters off St. Matthew Island.
Delisle, in turn, cradled her friend in her arms during that long hour, battling in vain to cut away the water-filled rubber waders that threatened to pull him under.
Grissom's action is being called an act of selfless heroism by the U.S. Coast Guard and by those who knew the lifelong fisherman.
"It probably saved her life," said U.S. Coast Guard petty officer 3rd class Chris McLaughlin from his base in Kodiak, Alaska. "I would say he is a hero."
(Excerpt) Read more at canada.com ...
Not wise in the Bering Sea.
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