A summer swim at Martha’s Vineyard’s Long Point Wildlife Refuge ended in tragedy after a 55-year-old Cambridge man died following an emergency in the water. The Trustees closed the refuge’s beaches over the weekend, disrupting reservations at one of the Island’s popular south-facing swimming spots.
According to WCVB, West Tisbury police responded Friday to a report of a male swimmer struggling to return to shore. The man, identified by the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office as Kevin Foster, was pulled from the water and taken to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, where he died.
The available reports do not identify what caused Foster’s emergency. Officials have not publicly said whether surf, currents, a medical event or another factor was involved.
Long Point Beaches Closed After Fatal Swimming Emergency
Long Point is not a lifeguarded beach. The Trustees of Reservations warns that swimming there can be hazardous because of rough surf and undertows, and tells visitors that no lifeguards are on duty.
The closure also affected visitors who had already booked beach access. WCVB reported that The Trustees would refund all beach reservations connected to the closure and expected the refuge beaches to reopen Monday.
Visitors planning to go should check the organization’s current beach alerts before heading out. The Trustees says it posts access updates for its Martha’s Vineyard properties online and through its informational line, particularly when conditions or other safety concerns affect beach operations.
Earlier Long Point Rip Current Death Resurfaced In 2021
The latest death echoes an earlier tragedy off Long Point. In 2021, The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that a 58-year-old Virginia man died after a strong rip current pulled him farther offshore while he was swimming with another person.
For now, the public details in the current case remain limited: a swimmer struggled to get back to shore, rescuers pulled him from the water, and he later died at the hospital. The temporary beach closure and reservation refunds are the immediate response as officials and The Trustees handle the aftermath.
