A fisherman was recently recognized for his heroic efforts to save another man from drowning at Waurika Lake in May 2012.
Lester Cox was presented a lifesaving award by Col. Michael Teague, Tulsa District commander Feb. 19 at the Oklahoma State University Extension Office in Chickasha, Okla.
Cox was fishing from a bass buggy at Waurika Lake May 10, 2012 when he noticed an unmanned boat that was running in circles. He went over to investigate and discovered that two men had gone overboard. One of the men had already drowned but the other was struggling to keep his head above water. Though the bass buggy that Cox was fishing from was not big enough to fit both him and the struggling man, he was able to grab him and keep his head above water until they drifted to shore. Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Corps personnel were then able to revive him.
“Mr. Cox regretted not being able to save both men, but his quick action prevented a double drowning,” said Louis Holstead, Waurika Lake manager. “The rescued man said he was about to give up and was certain he would have died that day had it not been for him.”