Fisherman hooks drowning man, reels him in

updated 2:52 p.m. ET July 18, 2008

HALLOWELL, Maine - A man who was drowning in a Maine river recovered Friday after getting reeled in with a fishing rod.

Bob Greene of Hallowell said he was having his morning coffee and heard what he thought was a bird early Thursday. He then realized there was a man bobbing in the Kennebec River.

Greene said a 911 dispatcher told him to throw something out to the man. He snagged the man's shirt with a fishing lure and reeled him in.

The rescued man remained in critical condition at a Portland hospital.

Hallowell Police Chief Eric Nason said Greene did the right thing by calling police first and not jumping into the water.

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