NASHVILE, Tenn.- A Nashville man was saved from a near drowning by two Smyrna Police officers after his boat sank in Percy Priest Lake.
Police early Thursday morning, around 6:30 a.m. officers were called to the Jefferson Springs Recreation Area on Percy Priest Lake on reports of a boat sinking with a driver who could not swim. When Gary Schoon and Officer Keysha Bryant arrived at the lake they quickly realized that boat was sinking too quickly for them to wait for the police rescue boat to arrive.
Carrying a life preserver the two officers swam out to sinking boat and its driver, Jose Cordoba-Ruiz. They were able to rescue Cordoba-Ruiz from the boat, hauling him back to shore. Police said that once during the 75 yard swim, Cordoba-Ruiz lost his life vest and went under water. The officers were able to work together to get Cordoba-Ruiz's life vest back on and get him to shore.
Cordoba-Ruiz was treated on the scene by paramedics, but received no injuries from the incident.
"We are very proud of all the officers involved and their dedication to protect and serve," the Smyrna Police Department said in a release Friday.
