THESSALON – Police say they pulled a man from the Thessalon River yesterday whom they feared was in danger due to his level of intoxication and the cold water he was swimming in.
The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police say they arrested the man after a disturbance call near Algoma Street West in Thessalon.
At around 6 p.m. police were called about "an intoxicated male swimming in the Thessalon River wearing only a camouflage lifejacket and underwear", according to an OPP news release.
The man refused to exit the water, which police described as extremely cold, and he continued yelling obscenities and swearing.
"Due to the level of intoxication, cold water, and risk of entering Lake Huron, police attempted to arrest the male as he was a definite threat to himself," police said.
The man refused to cooperate with police leading to officers entering the water to pull him to safety, the OPP said.
Doug Lambert, 55, of Thessalon was charged with obstructing a peace officer and being intoxicated in a public place.
He is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Elliot Lake on June 6.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Lambert is considered innocent unless proven guilty.