LIFESAVING EFFORTS
Six Saratoga County residents recognized by Sen. Jim Tedisco for saving a man
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » Six Saratoga County residents were presented with New York State Senate Liberty Medals Monday by Sen. Jim Tedisco for their heroic efforts in saving a man’s life after a snowmobile accident on the Great Sacandaga Lake.
The medals were given to lake residents Jerry and Donna McGraw and Saratoga County Department of Public Works employees Jeff Gray, Robert Crist, Preston Allen Jr. and Aaron Colvin at a mid-morning presentation in Tedisco’s Clifton Park office.
The NYS Senate Liberty Medal is the state Senate’s highest honor given to those who have shown tremendous valor and courage or have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of New Yorkers.
The six individuals, all residents of Tedisco’s 49th Senate District, joined together on a moment’s notice on the morning of Jan. 31 when snowmobiler Ed Fitzgerald went through thin ice as he was nearing the northern end of the lake near the Conklingville Dam while riding his snowmobile.
At Monday’s presentation, the McGraws said they saw him pass by their home heading toward the dam but didn’t see him coming back. McGraw went to see if there was trouble and saw Fitzgerald in the water. Gray, a neighbor who was home at the time saw the activity, made his way to the scene, and saw that a boat was needed.
Upon receiving Donna McGraw’s 911 phone call for assistance via a landline, emergency dispatch notified Crist that a water search unit was needed on the Great Sacandaga Lake. He notified Allen and Colvin what was happening and they agreed to go with him.
Allen used his hands to break up the ice for the boat, and Crist paddled it toward Fitzgerald with
a two-by-four he’d found onshore. The others stayed onshore manning a rope tied to the boat.
“He had already gone under twice by the time the boat got to him. He wouldn’t have made it a third time,” Gray said
Monday. “At one point he was swimming away from us.”
Fitzgerald, who was at the presentation, said he was wearing a backpack which contained some hand warmers and ice picks. At one point the men onshore discussed whether he should discard the backpack but Jerry McGraw could see it was buoying him up and recommended he keep it on.
Fitzgerald was in the icy water between 30 and 40 minutes. The men said no CPR was needed once he was back onshore. He was taken to Glens Falls Hospital and released the following day.
Crist said the snowmobile was recovered in 12 to 14 feet of water on the edge of the lake’s channel where the depth drops off quickly to 40 to 50 feet.
“As a volunteer firefighter I’ve been to a lot of different scenes and there can be confusion, but there was none here,” he said. “There was no talking. It went smooth. Everyone knew what had to be done.”
Gray said Fitzgerald was suffering from hypothermia when he was pulled out of the water. Fitzgerald agreed saying, he tried to say thank you to his “angels” at one point but the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth properly.
Tedisco, R-Glenville, gave thanks that Fitzgerald was able to attend the presentation and thanked the six people who made it happen.
“In the 49th Senate District, not all heroes wear capes. They wear work boots and work clothes and they serve the public everyday day on our roads, bridges, and waterways,” Tedisco said. “Sometimes they save people’s lives with good neighbors who work along with them.”
A longtime athlete and college basketball star, Tedisco noted that the lifesaving action taken that day shows what teamwork can do.
“The only way we achieve success in many instances is by being organized as a team and everybody knowing their role,” he said. “Because they know their roles and the individuals don’t care who gets the credit, teams can achieve unbelievable goals. That’s what happened here. They put that team together in an instant. Nobody turned their back and said it’s not my business.”
Donna McGraw said she and her husband are associated with the National Ski Patrol and going to someone’s aid who’s hurt on the mountain is part of what they do.
“We all helped and you’d do it toO,” she said to everyone in the room.
Keith Manz, the Commissioner of Saratoga County Department of Public Works said he along with the entire county is very proud of Gray, Crist, Allen, and Colvin.
“They performed the most noble act anyone can perform on this planet; they saved someone else by risking their lives,” he said. “They are heroes even though their humility says they don’t want to be called that.”
When Fitzgerald stepped before the microphone he said first and foremost he wanted to thank the people he considers his angels.
“My family would have been coordinating funeral services for myself several weeks ago if it wasn’t for you,” he said turning to the six people who’d save his life. “When my father heard about this, he related to me about all the good neighbors we have where we live.
“It was volunteer firefighters, neighbors, and local folks. Thank you all very much. I have a debt I won’t be able to pay. I’m indebted, but I will work on it.”