Emery Lee Folks died attempting to save Gilbert Verrett from drowning, Orange, Texas, November 27, 1967. Verrett, 64, boilermaker, who could not swim, was working on one of three pontoons supporting an aerating machine in an artificial lagoon and fell into the murky water, which contained sludge from a paper plant. He was submerged briefly and then floundered in an effort to keep afloat. Folks, 52, boilermaker, on another pontoon, removed his jacket and dived into the water. He swam 25 feet to Verrett, reaching him in water eight feet deep 10 feet from the nearest pontoon and 300 feet from the bank of the lagoon. A struggle ensued. Another boilermaker swam toward Verrett and Folks, but they had disappeared beneath the surface before he reached them. Other workmen arrived. Verrett and Folks were removed from the lagoon. Neither could be revived. 49930-5397
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49930-5397