Edgar R. Hoff saved Lola W. Farmer from drowning, Peridot, Arizona, February 16., 1967. Mrs. Farmer, 82, who could not swim, fell into an arm of San Carlos Lake. She was submerged briefly twice, her struggles carrying her away from the bank, and she called for help. Her cry was heard only by Hoff, 66, retired teacher, who suffered with emphysema and had not, swum for 20 years. Although he was restricted from strenuous exertion, Hoff hurried 225 feet to the bank opposite Mrs. Farmer, who then was unconscious and floating just beneath the surface in water 10 feet deep. Hoff was badly winded but he removed his jacket in preparation for aiding Mrs. Farmer. The loose soil of the bank gave way under him and he plunged head-first into the chilly water. Nine feet from the bank Hoff surfaced with difficulty because of his attire. He gulped in air and swam three feet farther to Mrs. Farmer. Hoff drew her to the surface and held her head out of the water. He towed Mrs. Farmer 12 feet to the bank, and by then he was fighting for breath. Unable to gain footing on the sloping bottom, Hoff clung to a boulder on the bank and continued to hold Mrs. Farmer’s head above water. When he had regained sufficient breath to do so, he called for help. Two men ran to the bank and relieved Hoff of Mrs. Farmer. One man revived her while the other man aided Hoff, who was extremely weak, out of the water. 49504-5365
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