Two Brockport, New York, police officers and a civilian saved two individuals who had fallen into the Erie Canal over the weekend.
The incident unfolded near Queen and Clinton streets in the early hours of September 10, when authorities were alerted about a person who had fallen into the Erie Canal, according to a report from ABC affiliate WHAM.
Responding officers Evan Blodgett and Joshua Sime discovered Melanie Schwab, 34, yelling for help while struggling to keep her head above the water, the report noted.
Schwab expressed concern for her friend, 33-year-old Jason Newcomb, who couldn’t swim. The officers observed Newcomb lying motionless and face down in the water, according to the report.
The Brockport officers’ rescue efforts were joined by Clarence Carithers, a civilian who noticed the couple in the canal.
Officer Blodgett swiftly administered CPR, a critical life-saving procedure, to Newcomb, the report noted.
Meanwhile, Officer Sime and other law enforcement, focused on ensuring Schwab’s safety.
Sime mentioned how Blodgett held onto his belt, allowing him to lean over the canal’s embankment to reach Newcomb.
“And for (Schwab), Officer (John) Vadas and I were able to throw her a flotation device and get her over the bank where we were again assisted by Mr. Carithers and pulled her out of the water,” Sime said.
Newcomb and Schwab were talking near the canal’s edge when Newcomb lost his footing and fell into the water, according to a report from Breitbart News. Schwab jumped in, to try and save her friend, the report noted.
Both Newcomb and Schwab have since recuperated from their experience and were discharged from the hospital.
The actions of the officers and Carithers have garnered widespread appreciation.
“Great save,” commented one user on social media. Congratulations to all involved.”
“You make us all so proud!” remarked another individual on social media.
Another user praised the officers.
“Blodgett and Sime are good police,” the individual posted. “But that is because they are really good men! Well done fellas!”
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