Albert Murphy, 65, suffered fractures and hypothermia

BYRON – An East Peru man who spent nearly 24 hours on his back, partially submerged in the Swift River with injuries from a fall Thursday morning remains hospitalized in Lewiston.

A Central Maine Medical Center nursing supervisor said the condition of Albert Murphy, 65, had been upgraded from fair to stable as of late Monday afternoon.

Officials said Murphy suffered a fractured pelvis and leg, and moderate hypothermia.

Investigating Warden Brock Clukey said Friday that Murphy had walked about 1,700 feet upstream from his vehicle Thursday morning at the Bemis Track bridge over the river beside Route 17, 4.3 miles north of Coos Canyon.

Murphy slipped on a rock and fell into the river while attempting to go swimming, Warden Christl Theriault said.

State police and wardens searched unsuccessfully for Murphy through the night Thursday. Searchers were joined by more wardens and volunteers Friday, when Murphy was spotted from the air by a pilot, Warden Daryl Gordon.

Murphy was flown to the Lewiston hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Med-Care Ambulance Director Dean Milligan said.

– Terry Karkos