Sand Springs Man Remembers Wife That Died After Rescuing Person From Lake

A Sand Springs family said a woman who saved a drowning man is a hero.

In a tragic turn of events, that heroic act of saving his life cost her her own.

Dana Cothran's husband said Dana was fishing when she saw the man in trouble.

Dana fished here at Lake Sahoma almost every day and jumped in to save that man's life without thinking twice.

"Everything we did, it was together, we were inseparable," said Russell Cothran.

On a windy, chilly Wednesday, Russell Cothran was at one of his wife's favorite spots: the fishing hole at Sahoma Lake.

Russell said Dana caught most of the fish in their relationship. It was her passion, and she was living life to the fullest.

"She was very unselfish--always giving, at the point of taking away from herself," said Russell.

That's why Dana jumped to the rescue after a man fell in the lake over the weekend.

Dana saved that man, but another person had to go in to get Dana and the man out of the water.

Dana died a few days later.

"I know it happened, but I don't think the full blow of, she ain't coming back," Russell.

Russell and Dana were married for 32 years.

He said they were best friends and she loved animals and they loved her.

"What's my favorite thing about her? Everything," said Russell.

He said Dana didn't know a stranger.

Russell said many people loved her because she was someone who gave without ever needing anything in return.

He hopes people can take a lesson from his wife about being kind to others.

"She saved my life, as well as this gentleman here," said Russell.

Russell said he did talk to that man that Dana saved and says that man is grateful for her.