A Pottawattamie County man who risked his life to save two men from an icy, watery grave will be honored Friday during a special ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Governor Terry E. Branstad will recognize Seth Thompson, of Treynor, as one of six individuals who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save someone’s life, or those that have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation. Thompson is slated to receive the Outstanding Service Award during the “Governor’s Lifesaving Awards & Outstanding Service Awards” ceremony which takes place at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, beginning at 10-a.m., Friday.

The Outstanding Service Award is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

On December 14th, 2009 Seth Thompson was headed to work in Okoboji. It was a very cold day with a wind chill of 5 below zero, the roads were icy and the winds were making navigating the roads a challenge. During his drive Seth noticed a truck with two occupants in front of him begin to lose control on a patch of ice and then watched it roll into a creek and break through the ice coming to a stop. When it finally came to rest, it was on its top. Seth quickly stopped his vehicle and he and his passenger ran down to the truck. Seth observed that the windows in the truck had broken on impact and the cab was quickly filling with water.

When he arrived at the truck, which was near the creek bank, Seth was able to reach in the passenger window by laying down on the edge of the bank, his stomach and chest were submerged in the icy water as he felt for the passenger’s arm. Seth grabbed the arm and pulled the disoriented passenger from the truck and onto the bank. Knowing that the driver was still inside he again reached through the passenger window and just barely reached his outstretched hand. Seth grabbed the hand and pulled the second person onto the creek bank.

Both the driver and passenger of the truck, Jesus Alvarado and Joshua Allsup, were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries and symptoms of hypothermia.