Two swimmers were transported in critical condition after being rescued from the waters off Plum Island Point. The incident, which unfolded yesterday evening near the coast of Newburyport, Massachusetts, involved local first responders and the Coast Guard following a distress call about two females struggling in the water, as reported by NBC Boston.
According to officials, the call came just after 7 p.m. and prompted a rapid reaction from Newburyport Police and Fire departments. A pair of nearby fishing boats were present when responders arrived on scene, with one fisherman managing to bring an unresponsive swimmer back to shore. The second swimmer was retrieved by the another fishing boat and received medical attention from the U.S. Coast Guard before being taken to shore. Both victims were subsequently transported to Anna Jaques Hospital and remain in a critical condition.
Moments of disbelief mixed with sad resignation echoed from the local community, as captured in a statement obtained by CBS Boston, with one resident commenting, "I'm kind of shocked but not really because it is the Merrimack and stuff happens here every year," referencing the river that flows by Plum Island Point.
The circumstances that led to the swimmers being in distress are not immediately clear, and the current conditions of the individuals involved are unknown at this time. The Newburyport Police Department is investigating the incident to determine the cause and contributing factors. Plum Island Point, located approximately 45 miles north of Boston, is a popular coastal area that has previously been associated with safety concerns.
