South Carolina Man Dies on His Birthday Attempting to Save Teen from Drowning

A South Carolina veteran died on his birthday whereas attempting to avoid wasting a 13-year-old boy from drowning, authorities mentioned. 

The teenager was fishing together with his household on Saturday, March 8, when he slipped on rocks and fell right into a river in Ridgeway, the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned, in response to CBS affiliate WLTX and Fox affiliate WACH. Lonnie Hancock, 43, and Valentin Quiroz, 21, have been amongst a gaggle who jumped into the water to avoid wasting the teenager. Each died, WLTX, WACH and WIS reported.

Authorities mentioned that after the boy fell into the water, his father and Quiroz instantly jumped in to avoid wasting him. Hancock, who was close by, jumped in quickly after, in response to WLTX. An off-duty police officer and Military soldier additionally witnessed the accident and have been in a position to pull the boy out of the water, Boan mentioned, per the outlet. By then, Hancock and Quiroz had disappeared. 

“These males didn’t hesitate,” mentioned Boan, in response to the outlet. “They noticed somebody in hassle and so they jumped in. That’s what heroes do.” 

Two folks heard screams after which realized a boy had fallen into the river.

“At first we thought it was simply youngsters enjoying within the water after which we heard a girl scream after which we knew one thing was occurring and it was unhealthy,” Gary Mallot, who witnessed the rescue, informed WIS.

After {the teenager} was rescued, search efforts continued for Hancock and Quiroz. Each our bodies have been discovered individually that weekend, in response to WLTX.

The sheriff’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to PEOPLE’s request for remark.

“They made the last word sacrifice,” mentioned Sheriff Lee Boan, who famous that the water temperature was within the low 50s on the time, in response to WLTX. “Two heroes jumped into the water with out hesitation, attempting to avoid wasting a life. That’s the definition of hero.”

Hancock, who served within the Navy for 20 years, was a father of 4, the station reported. The day of the accident was his forty third birthday.

“There was no thought, no hesitation,” Lance Abernathy, who labored as a highschool coach at Chesterfield Excessive, informed the outlet about his former athlete. Hancock was an All-Area soccer participant and two-time Prime 3 state placer in wrestling, in response to the outlet.

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“He noticed a child in hassle and sprang into motion, as a result of that’s simply who he was,” Abernathy informed the outlet. “That’s what he did, and that’s what he knew.”

A GoFundMe web page was created in help of Hancock’s surviving spouse, Jessica Yarber, and their 4 kids.

“[He] didn’t hesitate to leap in to assist,” the organizer wrote. “Household, mates, and shipmates let’s all present our love by serving to Jess and her lovely kids throughout this time.”

Hancock’s funeral is scheduled for Might 22, in response to the GoFundMe web page.