Kennebec Journal photog saves man after fall over dam
Andy Molloy, a photographer for the Kennebec (Maine) Journal, was out grabbing a few photos Monday of a local swimming area when two men in the water ventured a little too far close to a dam. Because of heavy rains lately, the water — normally very safe, reportedly — was rushing over the dam with great force.
Shawn Lawson clutches an old control wheel on the North Wayne Dam. Moments later, the water pulled him over the dam an onto rocks, 15 feet below. Photo by Andy Molloy of the Kenneback Journal.
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Molloy put aside his camera and warned the men of the danger. One man made it to shore safely. The other — Shawn Lawson, 25 — was swept over the dam, falling 15 feet onto rocks below, reports the Journal’s Craig Crosby.
Crosby writes:
Lawson was submerged up to his shoulders, but was able to keep his head above water by holding onto branches at the base of the dam, Molloy said.
Molloy, who has worked as a first responder in the past, and two men who had been working nearby were able to pull Lawson to shore and hold him above water until rescuers arrived.
“Andy (Molloy) went into the water and dragged him to the edge,” [Assistant Fire Chief Brian Roche] said. “He was the man who saved (Lawson) from going under permanently.”
Andy hasn’t posted his web portfolio yet. When he does, though, here’s where it’ll be. Find his somewhat outdated photo blog here.