Just before 1 a.m. on September 10, the Brockport Police Department was dispatched to the area of Queen Street and Clinton Street for the report of someone who had fallen into the canal.
Brockport Officer Evan Blodgett and Officer Joshua Sime arrived on scene in less than a minute after being dispatched and could hear screaming coming from the south side of the canal just east of 48 Merchant Street. This is an area of the canal that has a concrete wall for an embankment.
Officers rushed to the canal bank and observed a 34-year-old woman, later identified as Melanie Schwab of Brockport, struggling to swim while screaming for help and yelling that her friend couldn’t swim. Officers observed a motionless 33-year-old male in the canal face down. This male was later identified as Jason Newcomb of Rochester. Officers Blodgett and Sime were able to pull Newcomb out of the water and over the embankment with the assistance of a helpful citizen, Clarence Carithers of Albion. After extracting Newcomb from the canal, Officer Blodgett immediately began CPR while Officer Sime and additional responding Officers removed Melanie Schwab from the canal.
Both victims were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. Newcomb was in critical condition, but expected to live. Schwab had a head injury and possible concussion.
Through follow up investigations Officers were able to learn that Newcomb and Schwab had walked over to the edge of the canal and were having a conversation. While standing on the concrete embankment, Newcomb lost his balance and fell into the canal. Schwab knew that her friend could not swim and began screaming for help as Newcomb struggled to stay afloat. At this point Schwab jumped in the canal to try and save her friend. Schwab struck her head on the concrete embankment while attempting to push her friend out of the water and over the wall.
Both Newcomb and Schwab have been released from the hospital and have made full recoveries.
The Brockport Police recognize the bravery of Melanie Schwab and are grateful to Clarence Carithers for his help in removing Newcomb from the canal and saving a life.
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