During the evening of 15 December 1984, a youth was crossing Northwest Pond near Ramea, Newfoundland, when the ice gave way under weight. Keith Carter and his cousin arrived at the scene and found a man trying vainly to rescue the victim by holding out a pole. Mr. Carter quickly assessed the seriousness of the situation. Knowing that the thin surface would not support him. he broke a path from the shore with his body. Arriving at the hole, he swam to the victim and, by dint of enormous effort and tenacity, he towed him almost to the shallows. Hampered by the weight of wet clothing, Keith Carter was dragged under but managed to keep the teenager near the surface and push him to his cousin, who had waded out to assist. Together they carried the victim to safety.