Co-workers save drowning man

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20091114/NEWS01/711149859/0/NEWS02

By Leia Baez-Mendoza
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
« Metro/Region

Mike Sousek had been chest deep in 40-degree water for an hour, but being cold didn't cross his mind.

His heart was racing and his adrenaline rushing Thursday as he fought to keep friend and co-worker Bob Heimann from drowning in a farm pond near Wahoo, Neb.

“I just knew I couldn't let go, and I had to do everything I could to keep Bob's head above water,” said Sousek, rural water manager for the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District.

They had waded into the water along with another co-worker to clear mud and tree branches packed by beavers into an 18-inch drainpipe used to regulate the pond's water level.

It was a task Sousek and his colleagues had done at least 100 times, but it quickly turned deadly.

After trying several times to clear the pipe, the men stopped to discuss what to do next. That's when the debris suddenly became dislodged, and the pipe's suction strengthened.

Heimann, the district's operations and maintenance manager, instantly was sucked toward the pipe.

FULL story and photos at link.

[ClarkUSA]

1. Glad the man is safe. nt