Boy swept over dam prompts concerns about park safety
A boy was swept over Frank G. Clement Dam following heavy rains over the weekend, prompting city officials to consider ways to improve safety at Pepper Branch Park.
The boy, Alex Johnson, 12, was helped from the water Sunday afternoon by Dave McCormick after the boy, who was swimming with friends above the dam, was swept over the dam by rapidly rushing water. The boy reportedly went under several times before being pulled from the water. His friends, who also helped in the rescue, said they tried to keep him from going over the dam but the current was too strong.
The entire incident was witnessed by a public safety officer who was patrolling the park nearby. The boy suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches. The boy?s father refused treatment for him, noting the youth had been warned of the dangers of swimming above the dam, especially when the water level and current is high after heavy rain.
The incident, according to McMinnville Police Captain Bryan Denton, demonstrates the potential dangers associated with swimming above the dam.
?Many times, during heavier rain, there is a lot of debris in the water which could injure a person, not to mention the strong currents which can pull a person under,? Denton said. ?Right now there?s no law which prevents people from swimming above the dam, but given this latest incident, there is talk of maybe taking some action.?
While there is no restriction on swimming above the dam, Denton said the age-old tradition of diving off the railroad trestle to the water about 20 feet below may now get divers fined.
?The railroad authority has posted the trestle off limits to all pedestrian traffic, that includes divers and people walking across it,? Denton said. ?The railroad has said they have had to stop a few times because of people on the track so this has been a problem for awhile.?
Denton said officers will be enforcing the railroad trestle ban, issuing warnings and possibly even some citations for trespassers.