Victim was pinned with the topside of the canoe open to the current against a rock in the middle of the river. His left leg-thigh was trapped against the rock by the bottom of the canoe. He was clothed in street clothes and was submerged by water from the waist down. Access to the victim was gained only by boat and motor because of his location midpoint of the river. The current was too strong to send A rescuer to him from the shore. Throw bags were useless because he was so thoroughly pinned by the hydraulic pressure.
We took a risk and drive our rescue boat up the rapids to attempt to rescue him. The water temp was only 45 degree's so time was not on our side. Initially we attempted to try and pull the canoe off of him with a static rope and the winch from a ATV. The winch was rated for 4500 lbs and multiple attempts failed. The strain would either stop the winch or the structural supports on the canoe failed/broke.
The canoe was an Old Town Discovery in the 14 foot to 16 foot length constructed from plastic. This canoe design does not lend it self well to being forcibly moved in situations like this. There was only about 4 to 6 inches of the gunnel out of the water midway on the canoe, the rest was completely submerged. At this point I asked the victim if this was his canoe and he said yes. I told him I was going to cut the the side of the canoe in a couple of places in order to release some of the hydraulic pressure. We used a bow saw and a splitting maul to do the cutting. The cut ended up going completely to cut the canoe in half in order to get him free. He suffered only hypothermia and was out of the hospital within 3 hours and walked away.
First responders save canoeist's life during Sebec River Canoe race
By Emily Tadlock, WABI5
Posted: May 20, 2019
MILO, Maine (WABI) - A scary situation led rescuers to the aid of a trapped canoeist during the Sebec River Canoe Race on Saturday.
Milo Fire Captain Robert Coburn says, "The comment was made on the way in, "oh my God, the water's going." It's the highest I've ever seen it." Coburn has been working the Sebec River Canoe Race for 20 years. He says, "We've had flip overs and brought people out of the water and got them back in their canoes but nothing like this."
Nick Rowley, a competitor in Saturday's race says, "We ended up hitting a rock. We fell out of the boat." Nick Rowley is an experienced canoeist, doing several races a year. He says, "What you're supposed to do is get on your back and ride it out which is what I did but I couldn't get away from the boat and when the boat hit a rock it turned 90 degrees and pinned me against the rock. I knew I was in some trouble."
First responders quickly jumped into action but reaching Rowley in those currents was difficult. Coburn says, "When we finally got up next to him I realized.....it's not good." Rescuers were trying everything to free Rowley who had on no wet suite from the 45 degree water.
Rowley says, "It wasn't an easy rescue for sure and they even put their own lives at risk trying to help me." After an hour of fighting, they were finally able to pull him free.
When asked if they are heroes Milo Fire Chief Donnie Richards says, "No, we were just helping somebody out...that's what we do." Rowley has a message for all the men and women who worked tirelessly saved his life. He says, "I'd like to say thanks and I'm really grateful for everybody there who helped me out."
Rowley only suffered mild hypothermia and minor bumps, bruises and swelling. His canoe however wasn't so lucky. He says, "If you're looking to buy a canoe, I have one that's half off."
