Farley C. Lane, 43, mechanic-welder, saved William V. Hickman, 39, janitor, from drowning, Rogersville, Tennessee, May 8, 1965. In a boathouse on Cherokee Lake, Hickman, who could not swim, fell into water 15 feet deep and sank to the bottom. Without delaying to remove any of his attire, which included heavy safety shoes, Lane dived into the water and descended to the bottom. He took hold of Hickman, who struggled as Lane swam to the surface with him near the walkway of the boathouse. Lane obtained a hold on the handrail of the walkway. Hickman then grasped Lane with both hands, causing them to be submerged to the bottom. Lane squatted and wrapped his arms around Hickman’s legs from behind. He could feel the pull of an undercurrent as he pushed against the slippery bottom. Tiring, he swam upward with effort, lifting Hickman by his hold. As soon as Hickman reached the surface, he grasped the handrail. Lane climbed out and aided Hickman from the water with the assistance of another man who just had arrived.
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