A Richmond County Sheriff’s Office sergeant rescued a father and son from drowning on Father’s Day at a boat ramp behind Augusta Regional Airport.
Sgt. Darrell Grooms was patrolling near Lock and Dam Park’s Baurle Boat Ramp around 12:10 p.m. when he saw Glenn Wright, 63, struggling in the Savannah River, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) reported.
Grooms encouraged Wright to grab a nearby overhanging branch for support. At the same time, Wright’s son, Glenn Wright Jr., 30, jumped into the water to help his father.
Wright Jr. reached a pillar in the river but soon called out that he was about to go underwater, according to the RCSO.
Without hesitation, Sgt. Grooms took off his uniform and swam to Wright Jr. A bystander named Anthony Caruso threw a long ratchet strap to help pull them to shore.
Grooms then swam to Wright Sr. and, with the help of another bystander who provided a fishing net, managed to pull him to safety. This bystander chose to remain anonymous, the RCSO said.
Central EMS technicians checked all three at the scene to ensure they were unharmed.
