WATERVILLE — An unconscious city man spotted on the bank of the Kennebec River at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday was taken to the hospital after police were alerted by a bicycle rider.

Police responded to a rescue call shortly after 2 p.m. and found a Waterville man unconscious and intoxicated, according to Charles Rumsey, deputy chief for the Waterville Police Department.

Police said the 20-year-old man, whose name they didn’t release, was lying near the Kennebec River with empty alcohol containers near him and an empty paint can nearby. Police said the man may have been huffing paint, which is an illegal use of an inhalant and is a criminal offense. Rumsey said the situation is still being investigated and the man has not been charged with a crime.

Daniel Elliott of Waterville was riding along the river on the Head of Falls access road Thursday afternoon when he saw the man lying near the river, motionless.

“I called to him and he didn’t move or respond,” Elliott said. “I walked up to him and it didn’t look like he was breathing.”

Elliott called 911 before Waterville police and Waterville Fire and Rescue arrived. Delta Ambulance transported the man, who was not named, to Thayer Center for Health.

Waterville police Sgt. Lincoln Ryder said the man was breathing when first responders arrived, but he wasn’t verbally responsive.

The first rescue team on the scene called for additional manpower to assist in removing the man.

Police were able to make contact with a family member of the man, who was at the scene as he was taken away by Delta Ambulance.

No update on the man’s condition was available.

Jesse Scardina — 861-9239

jscardina@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @jessescardina

Copy the Story Link