' Construction worker saves woman trapped in swirling river' - amazing photos

[Jackeens]

A construction worker dangles from a crane, his arm stretched out to reach a terrified woman trapped in swirling water at the base of a dam. These astonishing images show the dramatic rescue of the woman after her boat overturned near the dam on the Des Moines River in Iowa. She was pulled to safety by the quick-thinking construction crew - but her husband, who was with her in the boat when it overturned yesterday, tragically drowned.

'I saw the boat drift down, and he started it up and he hit the bridge base,' construction worker Joe Lowe told local media. 'Then he tried to wrap it up with an anchor or line and then I heard him holler at his wife, put your life jacket on. He didn't have one on.'

The unnamed husband's concern for his wife may have saved her life. Her life jacket kept her afloat in the swirling waters of the river for up more than half an hour as construction worker Jason Oglesbee battled to reach her. Des Moines police Sgt. Joe Gonzalez said the workers saw the woman floating in a boil and they tried to move a crane over to her.

More (including video of the incident): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1196722/The-moment-construction-worker-dangled-crane-pluck-drowning-woman-river.html

[Vickers]

1. Holy crap, and he looks cool as a cucumber doing it, too!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Pity about her husband.

:(

[cdsilv]

3. river rats call that a 'hydraulic'....basically a horizontal vortex....

...of water at the base of a small waterfall (small by distance) that traps one in the vortex. VERY hard to get out
of.

This woman was very lucky that they were able to pull her out.

[uppityperson]

53. She was very lucky, good job rescuer! As a child we were seriously scared

to go near dams because of the vortex. Not only would there possibly be trees or brush washed over that would snag you, but the backflow is really difficult to escape.

[Captain Hilts]

13. I think he gets to keep her if he wants to after that. nt

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Having the worker dangle from a crane is probably an OSHA violation,

but under the circumstances....

[eyepaddle]

48. Actually it probably isn't; he was wearing a fall harness and his work float vest

It looks like these guys don't cut corners.

Here's an aside. I once got pummeled at the base of a four foot water fall at an insanely high flood stage, it was a river I had run countless times but I just didn't have my A-game with me that day. Not only was there a vicious hole right at the base of the falls, there was a powerful boil just downstream that fed you right back into the hole, plus the banks were severely undercut, as was the waterfall. I was fairly sure I had less than a few minutes to live and was just hoping the burning and gagging from inhaling water would be short lived, and the sense of peace would come quickly.

Thinking about how sad my mom would be that I died like that made me keep fighting. I managed to grab a rock ledge and hold on for ten or fiftenn seconds. That was just long enough for a friend on shore to grab my hands and hold me until the other guys got a rope to me. I can't iamagine every feeling more alone than when I was getting worked in that goddmaned hole. I could see my friends, I could look them in the eye and see the terrified looks, but none of them could get to me. Had I not swam HARD along the seam (paralleling the waterfall) they couldn't have gotten to me.

Just thinking about what this poor woman was going through brings tears to my eyes. I'm glad I don't have to talk to anybody on the phone right now...

[TransitJohn]

58. No he's tied off.

It's legit.

[Beacool]

4. These are some pics!!!

Bless him and his buddies, they saved a life. It's a shame the husband died, but there's a lesson to be learned: when on a boat everyone should wear a life jacket, no exceptions. When we go boating even the dog wears one.

;)

[JerseygirlCT]

5. Wow. nt

[Jackeens]

6. The video is worth looking at, he just plays down what he did, "part of a team". That's some man.

:toast:

[bertman]

7. Thanks for posting this. Makes me feel good. Especially considering the humility of

the man who was in the harness.

Recommend.

[lamp_shade]

8. Lookit those arm muscles. Yikes.

[sammytko]

12. i was thinking the same thing - those arms are huge

[Lisa0825]

15. He's HOT!

:wow: :loveya:

[sammytko]

18. he can resue me any time....

[Beacool]

43. I thought the same thing, but didn't want to seem superficial.

:P

:7

[InvisibleTouch]

9. Now THERE is a hero! n/t

[unblock]

16. wait, how can he be a "hero" if he didn't die in defense of corporate profits?

:sarcasm:



helluva rescue!

[Iterate]

10. ...and then he went back to work.

About the rescuer, from the Des Moines Register:

"Oglesbee was reluctant to give his name or be interviewed when first approached by members of the media. He later allowed a couple of questions before returning to work. The crew from Cramer & Associates was on hand to construct the high-arching Center Street pedestrian bridge."

[Captain Hilts]

11. Now THAT's a hero. nt

[lindisfarne]

14. Link to www.desmoinesregister.com/ article/20090701/ NEWS/907010375

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090701/NEWS/907010375

I hope dailymail paid to lift everything.

This is why you NEVER get anywhere near a dam in a boat. They lost a life, and risked the life of the rescuer. Had a crane not been there, more lives may have been risked.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090701/NEWS/90701002
The police report says, "Patricia stated she was boating with her husband and they were looking for a spot to bring the grandchildren to watch the fireworks. Patricia states as they approached the dam she heard people yelling, 'Get out of the boat.

===
So their grandchildren could have been swept over, had this not happened until they were in the boat, too. Sigh.

[Dappleganger]

25. Thanks for posting this.

Looks as if the woman, although she was 60, was in great physical shape which was why she was able to endure for 40 minutes even with a life preserver. The coordinated efforts by a number of people helped rescue her, although the pics of the construction worker are certainly captivating. It's a good thing they didn't bring their grandchildren that day, as they were hunting for a spot to see fireworks in a few days when this occurred.

[Arugula Latte]

36. She looks much younger than 60.

I am 43 and I've been working out much more in the past few years than I did in my 30s. I am determined to have muscles well into my old age. This is inspiring.

Sad about her husband. :(

[Dappleganger]

38. She certainly does!

I'm two years older and am impressed. It's vital for women to stay in shape as they get older, not just for the cardio but lifting weights increases bone density: http://www.naturalnews.com/010528.html

[Arugula Latte]

39. Yep. And get your calcium (with Vitamin D and magnesium for absorption)

Also, calcium is said to absorb bile and thus it passes through you. Otherwise, it turns into fat.

[KittyWampus]

32. Can someone with knowledge about river-boating explain why? I don't even understand how

boaters are allowed to go near dams?

Rivers run their coarse, get damed and then bottled up into reservoirs.

There's nothing stopping people from approaching the dams?

No warning or prohibition signs?

[lindisfarne]

33. Read the article. There were warning signs. There are basic water safety rules as well and if you

don't know them, you shouldn't be on the water.

Such as know what's downstream.

[KittyWampus]

35. 3rd edit- found your link to Des Moines Register. THANKS! But it doesn't discuss warning signs

unless I'm just slow today.

It does say by-standers warned them to get out of the boat.

[lindisfarne]

42. Look at 2nd article I linked to. "A sign along the west bank of the river near the dam reads: "Dange

"Danger! Recirculating currents below this dam can trap and drown victims.""

[CoffeeCat]

54. I live in Des Moines...

...and just watched a follow-up newscast on this.

Cameras showed that there were small signs along the river, warning people of the dam and of
the danger. These signs were obstructed by trees and other brush. These signs, although
red, were fairly small and were somewhat obscured by other signs that were a lot larger. The
media is definitely questioning whether or not there was adequate warning signs and if those
signs were large enough and viewable.

Also, there used to be a "grab line" across the river--as you approach the dam. The line spanned
the river and contained warning signs. So, if someone was about to go over, they could grab on
and prevent going over. For some reason that was not there.

Also, another interesting note. I have a friend who works for the architect firm that has been
working on the planning/construction there. This is the reason that the crane was there. My
architect friend said that this construction project is months behind, and the construction
company is being fined $1,000 daily until the job is finished. This job should have been
completed months ago. So....this lady who was saved was the beneficiary of whatever troubles
or hold-ups that has held up the construction.

I know that construction was halted for some time. So, it really was very fortunate that the
crane, and those brave workers were there when this happened.

[KittyWampus]

56. Thank you. My gut says there was negligence on Iowa's part. DU'er above you made point

you should always know what's happening with river course in front of you before going into water.

[DoBotherMe]

67. The safety line would have been

in place if the deadline had been met. The line washed away in last year's flooding and wasn't restrung because of the construction work on the pedestrian bridge. There are large orange warning signs dangling from rail trestles and suspension lines 1000 ft upriver from the dam and downriver from the marina where they put in. There is no law mandating the safety line, and the line would have been up if the construction had been completed. So all boaters on the Des Moines River had to be more watchful this season. Dana ; )

[LeftHander]

17. That last pic is an amazing shot....

It captures the sheer drama of the moment. it is one of those once in a lifetime photos.

[shadowknows69]

27. Yeah, that photog has an incredible eye. I'd say nearly Pulitzer quality on a couple.

[lpbk2713]

19. He's a hell of a man.

It restores my faith in people. Too bad he won't get as many headlines as Madoff and several others I could mention.

[riderinthestorm]

20. Goosebumps reading this story. That guy is a hero.

I only have a few moments on DU today, saw this story and had to open it. So glad I did. It's got all the elements: the loss of the husband (so sad), the terror of the woman at the base of the falls (scary!), the heroism of the rescuer and the crane team (wow!)

Like a short Reader's Digest story... but true!

Now back to my much less exciting day.

[hedgehog]

21. There is something very important about this incident. I think it

shows that we still have many Americans, maybe most Americans, who will stand up and do the right thing when they can if someone points them in the right direction. This is what Obama harnessed to get elected.

[myrna minx]

22. K&R. Wow. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

23. when i wa in jr. high school, something like this happened at the dam in our town...

some idiot on a raft went over the dam as a prank, and got caught in the boil...the fire dept sent out a rescue boat, and two firemen ended up drowned, including my friend's father.

[shadowknows69]

26. We have had a few such rescues up this way too.

The Black River is a fierce lady on a bad day. There's definitely strength and honor left in some of humaniity. This story made my whole day better.

[Arkansas Granny]

24. Amazing pictures. I doubt she could have been rescued in time if the

construction crew hadn't been there and willing to take the risk.

[RT Atlanta]

28. What a selfless act!

God Bless the crane team who pulled this woman to safety and my thoughts/prayers with the woman on the loss of her husband (who was also so selfless for the love of his wife - another hero as well).

[me b zola]

29. There is a short video at the link

The hunky hero Jason Olgesbee gives his brief & humble statement.

[Catherine Vincent]

30. That guy was just awesome for what he did

And I love how he doesn't want to talk much about it. :)

[Judi Lynn]

31. Her husband's last words to her were to put on her lifejacket, even though he had none himself.

The worker who saved her probably saw her husband had already drowned.

It's a much more serious story if you take the time to read it.

[lindisfarne]

34. Read the desmoines register article. Witnesses saw his life jacket come off after he

fell in the water.

[Judi Lynn]

40. I looked it up,it says, also, her husband was telling her to put on her lifejacket.

"They pulled up their anchor and they seemed to have the thing running, but then they kind of banged the boat into the false work - that's what we call that rusty steel that's standing out in the river to hold the bridge up," Cramer said. "And so then the man in the boat started yelling at the woman to put her life jacket on.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090701/NEWS/907010375

[lindisfarne]

41. Article said "As the boat was swept over the dam Alan Neely's life preserver came off."n/t

[Judi Lynn]

44. What is the point of conflict, anyway? Please illuminate.

I said I have read her husband had no lifejacket and his last words to her were to put on her lifejacket.

I'm perplexed by your determination to persist here. I tried to urge people to read the story, look beyond the photos. That seems to have hacked you off, for some reason.

Be sure to let me know how I have offended you.

[lindisfarne]

45. No offense, just clarification. You said "even though he had none himself."n/t

[Blue Gardener]

37. A true Hero

"Hero" is a word that is thrown around a lot, mostly undeserved. This guy has earned the Hero title.

[Blue_Tires]

46. +1

[eyepaddle]

47. Amazingly good thinking on the part of the construction crew.

The hydraulics that form at the base of low head dams (such as this one) are brutally unforgiving--whitewater instructors never pass up a chance to tell people to NEVER run one of these. WHen I stop and take a look at dams my blood usually runs cold.

There really was no better way to pull off a resuce like this--the crane wouldn't have generated the downwash of a helicopter's rotors. I am saddened by the death of the husband, but humble at the rescue which did occur.

[The River]

64. And If You Do

get caught, swim down and out at the bottom of the circular current.
Trying to get to the surface just wears you out.

[4_TN_TITANS]

49. Real American heros

They're all around us, just waiting for an opportunity to shine.

[RamboLiberal]

50. Hope this guy and whomever else on the construction crew

were involved get a Carnegie medal next year. They would sure deserve it. And I hope there are some other deserving rewards coming their way. That guy is the definition of hero.

[malaise]

51. Two men saved her life

Her hubby for telling her to put on her life jacket and this great hero.
Lovely story.

[lpbk2713]

60. Plus the crane operator.

It's not easy getting a needle threaded just right like that.

[proteus_lives]

52. A true American Hero.

This is a sad and touching story. A man this brave and humble is truly a blessing to his community. I hope he finds happiness throughout the rest of his life.

RIP to her husband. Another hero, there is a saying, "You don't know until you've been tested." Well, this man stepped up and did the right thing. May he know nothing but peace in whatever comes next for him.

I also hope the woman is able to recover from this, I think she will because she also proved herself in that water.

[Stephanie]

55. "It's no big deal, the whole crew did it."

"Did you volunteer?" "I had the harness on. That's all I want to say." From his interview in the video. Wow. He's one humble hero!

[TransitJohn]

57. So I always have mixed emotions when I see these stories.

Yay and congratulations to the worker who saved her, but derision and a "why do stupid people do such stupid things" for the couple who don't know how to boat safely.

[Cybergata]

59. What a hero! n/t

[IADEMO2004]

61. k&r

[Batgirl]

62. I am in awe of that rescuer guy, for his courage, strength and professionalism

and I think it's just terrible how so many have chosen to debase this thread by pointing out that in addition to those other virtues he also has a certain, um, smoldering hotness.

[BlooInBloo]

63. That guy's getting laid.

[proteus_lives]

65. Handsome, humble and a hero?

This guy getting laid and never paying for another drink again in his life.


Combine all those features and the women of Des Moines will damn-near fighting over him.

[opihimoimoi]

66. He should run for Congress...prolly do better than that Plumber the GOP Got...