Man Drowns During Father’s Day Fishing Trip After Waders Fill with Water, Authorities Say

His son unsuccessfully went into the river to try to save him

<p>Getty</p> Fishing rod on boat -- stock image

Getty

Fishing rod on boat -- stock image

A man who was on a Father’s Day fishing trip with his son died after drowning in a Maine river, multiple news outlets report.

James Wescott, 56 of Fremont, New Hampshire, was fly fishing with his son Jarod Wescott at the Kennebec River in Embden around 8 a.m. local time on Sunday, June 16, according to local TV station WABI and The Bangor Daily News, citing the Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife.

Related: 2 Men Save Dad and His Young Sons from Drowning in Colorado River

PEOPLE reached out to the department for comment but did not immediately hear back.

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James was trying to exit the river but lost his footing before falling into the water’s strong currents, WABI and The Miami Herald reported.

His waders, which are waterproof boot-overalls that typically cover most of the body’s bottom half, quickly filled with water, making it difficult for him to maintain control of his body, officials said.

<p>Getty</p> lake -- stock image

Getty

lake -- stock image

He was not wearing a wading belt and was swept away, per WABI.

As Jarod witnessed his father struggling in the Kennebec River, the younger man removed his own waders and jumped into the water to try to rescue him but was unsuccessful, according to the Herald.

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Jarod then decided to swim back to the shore without James in order to find help, according to the Herald, the Daily News and WABI.

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Several nearby fire departments — Anson, Solon, Madison and Skowhegan — responded to the scene. Authorities soon found James but he was unresponsive by the time they arrived. 

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