South Carolina veteran dies on his birthday while saving 13-year-old boy from drowning

A South Carolina veteran died on his birthday while trying to save a 13-year-old boy from drowning, authorities said.

South Carolina veteran saves teen from drowning

On Saturday, March 8, a 13-year-old boy was fishing with his family when he slipped on rocks and fell into a river in Ridgeway, Kershaw County, according to WLTX.

Lonnie Hancock, a 43-year-old veteran, and Valentin Quiroz, 21, jumped into the water to save the boy. Both Hancock and Quiroz died in the attempt to save the boy.

Authorities said that after the boy fell into the water, his father and Quiroz immediately jumped in to save him. Hancock, who was nearby, jumped in soon after, according to WLTX. An off-duty police officer and Army soldier also witnessed the accident and were able to pull the boy out of the water, the outlet reported. By then, Hancock and Quiroz had disappeared.

After the teenager was rescued, search efforts continued for Hancock and Quiroz. Both bodies were found separately that weekend, according to WLTX.

Hancock served in the Navy for 20 years and was a father of four, the outlet reported. The day of the accident was his 43rd birthday.

“There was no thought, no hesitation,” Lance Abernathy, who worked as a high school coach at Chesterfield High, told the outlet about his former athlete. Hancock was an All-Region football player and two-time Top 3 state placer in wrestling, according to the outlet.

GoFundMe

A GoFundMe page was created to support Hancock’s surviving wife and their four children.

Hancock’s funeral is scheduled for May 22.