Author Topic: Man arrested for rescuing drowning swimmer (Read 3324 times)

THUNDERDUCK · « **on:** July 05, 2005, 10:02:05 PM »

SAN MARCOS, Texas - A man who rescued a swimmer caught in swirling river currents found himself in trouble soon afterward when he was arrested by authorities who claimed he was interfering.

Dave Newman, 48, disobeyed repeated orders by emergency personnel to leave the water, police said. He was charged with interfering with public duties.

“I was amazed,” Newman said Monday after his release on $2,000 bail. “I had a very uncomfortable night after saving that guy’s life. He thanked me for it in front of the police, and then they took me to jail.”

Abed Duamni, 35, of Houston, said he had just finished eating at a restaurant Sunday when he decided to go for a swim in a nearby river. Duamni said he didn’t see any signs warning swimmers of dangerous currents.

Newman said he pulled Duamni out of the water, swimming under a waterfall and over to the shore opposite from the restaurant. He could hear law enforcement personnel telling him to come back to the other side.

According to police, Newman smirked and seemed annoyed by officers’ requests. He stood in the water for about 15 seconds before swimming downstream.

“When he came across the river, the officer stuck out his hand like he’s going to help him out of the water, and he put cuffs on him,” said John Parnell, pastor of St. Augustine Old Roman Catholic Church in Fort Worth.

TheQuickening · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2005, 10:13:19 PM »

That's just retarded. Were the cops making any attempts to rescue the drowning guy? If they were then they should have welcomed the help. If they were not then he still did the right thing. What were the cops doing? Waiting for backup??? In a situation like that where a life is on the line, waiting/hesitating can NOT be an option because it costs lives.

Boo-urns on the dumbass cops (they are from Texas, after all).

Ping · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2005, 11:35:27 PM »

That's the stupidest thing, going to jail for saving someone's life.

siggy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2005, 01:37:15 AM »

Seems like the police doesn't heck know what they are doing? Putting a person in jail for rescuing someone in danger? Interfering with public duties when the police aren't even doing anything? This is...well pure stupidity........

Naxo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2005, 03:45:22 AM »

Like we say here... It can only happen in US xD

kuno_thunder · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2005, 04:02:34 AM »

Arrogant fuckers. I'm sure the guy who's still alive would do the same in return. Fuckin' pigs.

Asmodai · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2005, 04:45:43 AM »

Eeeh. I'm mixed. Half the time when people try to be heroes, the rescue workers have to risk their lives twice to save two people rather than just the one who was in danger in the first place.

If the professionals are already on the scene, then let them do their job. The FD knows better how to get someone out of a burning building than I do, ditto for analogous situations.

THUNDERDUCK · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2005, 05:33:32 AM »

I think it's all about liabilities. But I would've jumped in.

TheQuickening · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2005, 09:04:44 PM »

Quote from: Asmodai

Eeeh. I'm mixed. Half the time when people try to be heroes, the rescue workers have to risk their lives twice to save two people rather than just the one who was in danger in the first place.

If the professionals are already on the scene, then let them do their job. The FD knows better how to get someone out of a burning building than I do, ditto for analogous situations.[/b]

I agree with your first point about good samaritans sometimes getting in over their heads and then needing rescue themselves. However in this case it doesn't seem to be appropriate. Considering the fact that the guy was drowning in water, a civilian would NOT attempt a rescue if, say, he/she could not swim (unless they're REALLY stupid). As far as your second point, there was no mention of the FD being there on the scene, nor was there a mention of cops who were already attempting to rescue the guy. For me, that's my beef (pardon the pun, considering my BBQ theme). Evidently the cops WERE there, but a CIVILIAN was (apparently) the first (and perhaps the only?) person to dive in and try to save the guy. That's the cops' job/responsibility. If they had been doing what they were being PAID to do and try to save the drowning guy, the civilian likely would not have jumped in as it would have been evident that it was not necessary.

ryuuga · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2005, 11:26:14 AM »

After watching this news, I am hitting the wall now! :evil:
It have to be added in school text book saying that "don't ever simply try to save some body's life because it may make you in jail!"