Fw: Augusta ME photojournalist saves man from drowning

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From: Damon Kiesow
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To: NPPA-L@LS2.CMICH.EDU
ReplyTo: Damon Kiesow
Subject: Augusta ME photojournalist saves man from drowning
Sent: Jul 8, 2009 12:36 PM

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=266713&ac=PHnws

WAYNE — A Winthrop man escaped serious injury Monday when he was swept over
the North Wayne Dam and fell to the rocks below.

Shawn Lawson, 25, was taken by ambulance to Central Maine Medical Center in
Lewiston, where he was treated and released, according to a hospital
spokeswoman.

Lawson and a friend were swimming about 3 p.m. when both began to drift
toward the dam, said Andy Molloy, a staff photographer with the Kennebec
Journal who had been snapping feature photos of the men before the accident.

The swimming area near the dam, which is for residents only, is typically
very safe, said Wayne Assistant Fire Chief Brian Roche. But a string of
recent rainstorms has made the area much more volatile.

"The water's running real strong," Roche said. "When water's running that
hard, it's not safe. It's like Niagara (Falls) coming over there."

Molloy said he tried to warn the men to get out of the water. Lawson's
friend, who was not identified, was able to swim to shore, but Lawson was
pulled toward the dam.

He was able to briefly stop his fall by holding onto a metal control wheel
at the top of the falls, but then fell about 15 feet to the rocks below.

"He just simply went over the falls," Roche said.

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," Roche said.
"He was the man who saved (Lawson) from going under permanently."