Dad fishing with son on Father’s Day drowns when waders fill with water, officials say

The Kennebec River’s formidable current claimed a man’s life while he was fishing with his son on Father’s Day, authorities say.

James Wescott, 56, of New Hampshire and 34-year-old Jarod Wescott of Maine were at the river in Embden, Maine, on June 16, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said.

The Kennebec River is a beloved destination for fly fishermen. It is also known for having a ruthless current, a subject of official warnings.

James Wescott, the father, wanted to stand on a gravel bar off the shore, and tried to wade over to it. He lost his footing and fell into the rushing water.

As many fly fishermen do, he was wearing waders, waterproof boot-overalls that can span most of the body, but he was not wearing a wading belt.

Without the belt, the waders became a water sack as fast water filled them, pulling him downstream.

Seeing this happen, his son removed his own waders and jumped into the stream to grab his father. He made it to his father, but the water-filled waders and strong current made it physically impossible to move him to shore.

Jarod Wescott swam to shore, rushed to an ATV trail and flagged down a passerby who called 911.

Three area fire departments hurried to the river.

They found James Wescott, but he was unresponsive.

Embden is about a 65-mile drive west of Bangor.