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Lisbon Fire Department rescued a Topsham man Tuesday night after his boat sank in the Androscoggin River. Submitted photo

A man whose boat sank in the Androscoggin River on Tuesday evening was rescued after he dialed 911 as he was being swept down the river in Lisbon Falls.

Conner O’Reilly, 21, of Topsham, was setting the anchor for his motorboat when it started taking on water and capsized, Lisbon Fire Chief Nate LeClair said.

Around 5:47 p.m., the town received a 911 call from O’Reilly, who was wearing a lifejacket as he was floating down the river. LeClair said O’Reilly was fortunate to have his cellphone with him, or emergency responders might not have been able to locate him.

Chief LeClair said his department launched Marine 5, the town’s rescue boat, off Frost Hill Avenue. The crew located O’Reilly and brought him safely to shore. O’Reilly was cold, but rescue crews warmed him up. After being evaluated by emergency medical technicians, O’Reilly was cleared to return home.

The fishing boat sank and will remain in the river until it can be salvaged.

Dennis Hoey is the Portland Press Herald’s night reporter, covering any and all news that breaks in the late afternoon and evening hours. He has been chasing stories after normal business hours in Portland...