Hannibal L. Jaworski, 49, surgeon, saved Anderson J. Sharp, 35, tire builder, and Charles M. Warren, 30, instrument technician, from drowning, Waco, Texas, November 15, 1950. At dawn a motorboat in which Sharp and Warren were riding on Lake Waco capsized and sank in water 12 feet deep 300 feet from shore. They attempted to swim toward shore through waves two feet high but made little progress because of heavy clothing and called for help. Jaworski, who was ill and awake at his house nearby, heard the calls from the lake. Although warned by a physician to avoid exertion, Jaworski, clad in pajamas and trousers, went outside and dimly sighting Sharp ran 120 feet to the shore. There he entered a rowboat, which contained a paddle but no oars, and paddled 225 feet to Sharp. He helped Sharp, who was nearly exhausted, to obtain a hold on the boat. Warren, floundering 70 feet farther from shore, suddenly sank. With difficulty Jaworski paddled towing Sharp to where Warren had sunk and leaning over the side submerged his head and shoulders. The boat listed, and water three inches deep was shipped. Jaworski, holding his breath as long as he could, groped beneath the surface but was unable to find Warren. Raising his head from the water, he sighted Warren just beneath the surface five feet away and paddled to him. Jaworski, again attempting to submerge himself, slipped and struck the gunwale on his side, fracturing two of his ribs. Extending an arm beneath the surface, he raised Warren, who was unconscious, and forced him to expel water. Jaworski with his knee held Warren’s arm against the inner side of the gunwale and turning the boat about with great effort paddled 325 feet to shore. Warren revived, and he and Sharp recovered. Jaworski was winded and almost exhausted but recovered. His injury healed in three weeks. 42207-3700
42207 – 3700
42207-3700