Man dies in accident on Kennebec River while fishing with son

EMBDEN, Maine – A New Hampshire man has died after being swept away by the Kennebec River while fishing with his son on Father’s Day.

James Wescott, 56, of Fremont, New Hampshire, and his son, 34-year-old Jarod Wescott of Norridgewock, were fly fishing on the Kennebec River in Embden around 8 a.m. Sunday when James lost his footing while walking to a gravel bar in the river, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

James fell into the water and was swept downstream as his waders quickly filled with water, the news release said. He was not wearing a wading belt.

His son, Jarod, took off his waders and jumped into the water to rescue his father, the release said. He was able to reach his father, but the weight of James’ water-filled waders and the current “made it impossible” to get him back to shore, officials said.

“Jarod was forced to swim to shore and eventually made it to an ATV trail where he was able to convince a passerby on an ATV to call 911 at around 8:30 a.m.,” the press release said.

First responders from Anson, Solon, Madison and Skowhegan arrived at the scene and reported that James was found unconscious.

He was taken to Dan and Scott Funeral Home in Skowhegan.

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