Two men were honored last week for their heroic efforts in saving three others whose boat capsized in Lake Horton April 29.

Derk Mueller and Mike Shaffan were congratulated for intervening after seeing three men struggle in the water after the boat overturned. While 911 was called by other witnesses, Mueller and Shaffan quickly responded to the area and assisted the victims.

“They turned a good day of fishing into a great day for Fayette County by assisting these gentlemen in an emergency situation,” said Fayette County Chief Marshal Ed Collins.

William Waters, Jim Carp and Bobby Cochran were on Lake Horton for a casual day of fishing and were in their favorite fishing spot when the boat capsized. The boat had begun to take on water initially and efforts to remove the water with a bilge pump were unsuccessful as the motor could not be cranked to run the bilge, officials said.

Of the three victims, only William Waters had to be transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital where he was treated and released.

The marshal’s department, meanwhile, towed the capsized boat to the west dock where fire department personnel righted the boat and secured it on the trailer, officials said.

Hawk 1, the helicopter operated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, also responded to the scene, officials said.

Lake Horton is Fayette County’s largest raw water reservoir and totals more than 100 acres.