A 10-year-old boy was pulled from the Androscoggin River Saturday evening, June 13, after being swept downstream by the current and becoming stranded on a cluster of rocks in the middle of the river.
According to a press release from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, the Androscoggin Regional Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call at approximately 8:17pm, from the boy’s father. The child had entered the river near 807 Howes Corner Road and was carried by the swift current before managing to reach safety on the rocks.
Deputies from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly and maintained communication with the boy, instructing him to stay put while a multi-agency water rescue was coordinated.
The Turner Fire and Rescue Department deployed its water rescue team. The Greene Fire Department launched its water rescue boat from the Turner Riverlands Boat Launch, and the Livermore Fire Department provided additional support.
Lieutenant/AEMT Cameron Lebel and Firefighter/EMT Chris Bellefleur of the Turner Fire and Rescue Department entered the river wearing specialized water rescue gear. While FF Bellefleur managed the rescue line from shore, Lt. Lebel successfully fought the swift current, reached the stranded child, secured him, and brought him safely back to shore.
The entire operation—from the initial 9-1-1 call to the boy being back on dry land—was completed in just 31 minutes. The child was evaluated by Turner Rescue personnel and found to be uninjured.
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