Michael J. Kane helped to save James P. Lawver from drowning, Avon, North Carolina, August 8, 2004. Lawver, 43, was swimming in shallow water of the Atlantic Ocean with his teenage son when they were caught by a current and swept far out, into deeper water. They shouted for help as they struggled to remain afloat at a point about 300 feet from shore. Kane, 48, letter carrier, was on the beach in the vicinity with two other men. Despite rough surf conditions, including high breakers, that were the result of a hurricane passing days earlier, they entered the water, the other men finding Lawver submerged, supporting his son. One of those men grasped Lawver’s son and returned him to shore while the other secured a hold around Lawver’s chest and began to swim in with him. Kane joined in the rescue of Lawver, whose being inert bogged him and the other rescuer beneath the surface of the water. They swam him to shore, the current forcing them on a diagonal course. Lawver and his son were taken to the hospital, where they were treated for effects of their ordeal; they recovered. Kane was nearly exhausted, but he recovered later that day.
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