Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

March 10

Boy rescued from ice floe in Bath

The boy crawls to safety on a ladder after rescue personnel arrive in response to a passer-by's call.

By Dennis Hoey dhoey@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

BATH — A young boy from Bath was rescued from the Kennebec River in Bath Saturday after he became stranded on an ice floe that was floating downriver.

Authorities said a passerby spotted the 13-year-old around 3:45 p.m. He notified Bath police.

Police Chief Michael Field said the river current, which was on an outgoing tide, was strong when a team of rescuers from the local police and fire departments arrived.

Field said the boy had become trapped on a large piece of ice about 15 feet from shore. Firefighters laid a ladder from a stationary piece of ice to reach the boy. The boy used the ladder to crawl to safety.

Field said the boy had fallen in the river and was wet from the waist down. He was treated and released to his father after being evaluated on the scene by Bath emergency responders. He was not suffering from hypothermia.

“The situation could have easily been tragic if it were not for the resident who saw the boy and the quick rescue efforts of the Bath Fire Department,” Field said in a statement.

The rescue took place just north of the Sagadahoc Bridge. A security boat from Bath Iron Works also responded and stood by in case it was needed.

Rescue personnel said the boy was jumping from one ice floe to another when he fell into the river. He was able to get out of the river by climbing onto a chunk of ice.

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