Oklahoma Couple Rescues Louisiana Man From Sinking SUV

Two Oklahomans are proof the Oklahoma Standard goes behind state lines.

Thursday, May 28th 2015, 7:00 pm

By: News 9


Two Oklahomans are proof the Oklahoma Standard goes behind state lines.

Chris and Cathy Love of Bethany were traveling in Louisiana over the weekend and ended up saving a man who could not swim from a sinking SUV.

“We was either both going to live or we were both going to die,” said Chris Love of the rescue.

Love pulled 38-year-old Charles Ware of Shreveport, Louisiana, from the submerged Suburban in a dramatic water rescue that was caught on cell phone video.

5/27/15 Related Story: Bethany Couple Aided In Water Rescue on Interstate 49

“It was pretty much a battle the whole entire way, I mean I was exhausted,” Love explained.

The Loves were driving on I-49 on Saturday when they stopped to help the driver of a crashed out truck. That driver was okay, but Love then saw another vehicle submerged in a nearby flooded bayou and the driver was waving for help.

“I knew from the minute I seen him I knew that I was getting wet,” Love said.

He ditched his shirt, dove in and swam over then, the driver told Love he could not swim.

“I told him, first off, I need him to relax, said I was going to get him out and I would drown before he does and if he went under, I would pull him back up,” Love told News 9.

Shocked and panicked, Ware fought and struggled anyway.

“I just kept telling him, 'Quit fighting me,' and about the fourth time I told him if he didn't quit fighting me, I was going to break his nose because he would take me under,” Love said.

The water was over Love's head and quickly swallowing the SUV. When they finally reached the bank, Ware could not stop thanking Love.

“It was no big deal, I'm just an ordinary guy,” Love said humbly. “I have bills I can't pay just like everybody else does,” he added.

Love changed clothes at the next rest stop and drove on to his grandmother's house in Texas as if nothing happened.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff thanked Chris and Cathy Love, saying on the agency's Facebook page, "Their actions exhibit true compassion and respect for their fellow man. We commend them for their bravery.”

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