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College Sailor 'Died a Hero'

As yacht rapidly sank, safety officer gave his life pushing his 2 crewmates to safety

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 10, 2008 7:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Survivors of a capsized college yacht yesterday hailed the boat's safety officer as a hero who gave his life to save theirs, CNN reports. Roger Stone died after pushing two of his Texas A&M University crewmates to safety from below decks last week as the craft rapidly took on water. The five who made it out of the boat spent 26 hours in the Gulf of Mexico before being rescued.

"He's my hero. He saved me," one of the survivors said of Stone. "I wouldn't be here without him." The Coast Guard saved the survivors, who huddled in the water sharing only four life jackets between them, after spotting a flashlight held by one of them. Divers later pulled Stone's body from the sunken vessel. The college teammates were on their way to compete in a regatta in Mexico.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

This picture shows the 2008 crew of the Cynthia Woods before departing for the start of the Regata de Amigos. Roger Stone is the first person seated on the right. (AP Photo)

Al Shannon rests in a rescue helicopter Monday, June 9, 2008 in Houston. Shannon was part of the crew that rescued five sailors from the rough waters of the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

This picture provided by his family shows Roger Stone. Stone died after the boat he and five others were sailing capsized during the Regata de Amigos in the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/Family via The Houston Chronicle)

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The survivors of the sinking are rescued by the Coast Guard after 26 hours in the water. (txaggie2011)

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College Sailor 'Died a Hero'