Oak Bluffs man drowns in great pond swimming accident Saturday

Clinton Griesser went underwater and did not surface. Rescuers attempted CPR to no avail.

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Wilson's Landing on Saturday.

Updated Monday, 5 pm

Despite the efforts of rescuers, Clinton Griesser, 32, of Oak Bluffs drowned Saturday afternoon while swimming in Edgartown Great Pond in the vicinity of Wilson’s Landing, a public launch ramp located on Mashacket Cove in the northeast corner of the salt pond.

Just after 4 pm, “Edgartown Police, fire, and EMS units were dispatched to Wilson’s Landing for a report of a male party who was swimming and went underwater and did not surface,” according to a police report.

Officer Jake Sylvia was the first police officer to arrive. “I was flagged down by several parties by the shore of Edgartown Great Pond,” he wrote in his report. “I observed a female party, later identified as Sarah Massey, performing CPR.”

Four more police officers and five EMS personnel arrived. Police and later EMS took over efforts to perform CPR.

John Dooley, one of the men present, told police he and Mr. Griesser had been drinking earlier in the day and decided to go for a swim. “Dooley stated Griesser was in the water playing with his dog, when he went underwater and did not surface,” Officer Sylvia wrote in his report.

Initially Mr. Dooley thought his friend was “messing around.” But when he did not surface for approximately 20 to 30 seconds, he jumped into the water and searched the immediate area. Police said, “Dooley stated he located Griesser’s foot underwater and carried him to shore,” according to the police report. Mr. Dooley estimated his friend was underwater for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Ms. Massey told police she was swimming in the area, and saw Mr. Griesser with a dog swimming approximately 20 feet from shore. “A few minutes later, she observed Dooley searching the area for Griesser and she began to assist him,” Officer Sylvia said. “Once Griesser was located, she helped onshore and provided CPR.”

Several other people on shore, as well as a pair of kayakers, also attempted to assist. A woman standing on shore called 911.

Edgartown EMS transported Mr. Griesser to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The drowning remains under investigation by the State Police pending the results of toxicology reports by the state medical examiner.

“It’s a shock,” Mr. Griesser’s mother, Cindy Corner of Edgartown, told The Times in a telephone call Monday morning. “I appreciate all the help and support from the community.”

Mr. Griesser was employed by Contemporary Landscaping in Vineyard Haven, where the flag flew at half-staff Monday. “All of the guys are very sad,” Caleb Nicholson, co-owner of the company, told The Times. “We really are a family here.”

Mr. Nicholson described Mr. Griesser, who went by the nickname “Frizzle,” as a hard worker and “definitely one of those great Island kids.”

Mr. Nicholson said Mr. Griesser had worked for the company for five years and he had just received a raise. “Everybody liked him, he was an upbeat kind of a guy,” Mr. Nicholson said.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe site to raise money for a memorial service and his burial. As of late Monday, the campaign had exceeded the $6,000 goal by $1,862.

A visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3, beginning at 11 am in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home on Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs. Family and friends will gather following the service at the Portuguese-American Club, Vineyard Avenue, Oak Bluffs.