CLAREMONT, N.H.
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A man cutting beams over the Sugar River in Claremont on Monday fell into the river and lost a foot when a retaining wall gave way.
Claremont fire officials said the unidentified man was using a blowtorch Monday afternoon to cut steel I-beams on property owned by the city. While he was cutting a beam and hanging over the river, a retaining wall holding the beam collapsed, sending him into the river.
Rescuers said his foot was caught in debris and amputated in the fall.
The river is about 3 feet deep in that area, and the man was able to pull himself onto a piece of concrete. Officials said he yelled for help for about 45 minutes before someone on the other side of the river heard him and called 911.
Firefighters used a ladder to get him out of the river, and he was flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Police said they are investigating the incident because it does not appear that the man had an contractual agreement to remove scrap metal.
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