John M. Lecoq saved Signe F. Haynes from drowning, Magnolia, Massachusetts, May 19, 1963. Miss Haynes, 20, a poor swimmer, was swept from a rocky ledge into very rough surf in the Atlantic Ocean by waves about six feet high, and the undercurrent carried her away from shore. Lecoq, 37, sales engineering consultant, was attracted and made his way through heavy spray to a ledge six feet above the water, where he undressed to swimming trunks. He entered the foam-covered water, and a breaker immediately swept him back against the rocks, where barnacles cut his leg. He thrust himself away and by swimming strongly in troughs between breakers reached Miss Haynes 150 feet from shore. As waves alternately lifted and lowered them, he attempted to tow her shoreward but could make no headway. With great effort he swam with her 20 feet toward a small anchored buoy but then felt himself becoming winded and was forced to cease his efforts to reach it. He trod water and supported Miss Haynes, who by that time was limp. Tiring steadily, Lecoq occasionally was submerged and took in water. He had supported Miss Haynes almost 20 minutes and nearly was exhausted when a Coast Guard helicopter arrived and took them aboard.
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