Right fisherman at right place at the right time helps save man

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William Moran, who recently retired to the Island with his wife, was fishing at Big Bridge Saturday night when he heard a cry for help.

“I looked up, and there was an elderly gentleman flailing around in the water,” he told The Times.

He dropped his fishing rod and ran to help. The man’s daughter was desperately trying to reach out to her dad, but she had limited movement because her foot was caught between the jetty rocks. Mr. Moran, a longtime firefighter who retired as provisional Holyoke fire chief, grabbed the man by his belt and hauled him onto the jetty.

The 68-year-old man suffered cuts and bruises, but otherwise appeared unharmed, Mr. Moran said.

Mr. Moran said he has considerable experience with emergency situations, and was impressed by the quick and professional response of the Oak Bluffs police and firefighters. The first emergency responder to arrive was Police Officer Seth Harlow. “He was very calming, very professional, which is important,” he said.

Mr. Moran said he called 911 at 6:29 pm. Within minutes he heard sirens and then saw the fire engines. “That’s what I did for my whole career,” he said. “I felt very proud when I saw them coming down the road. They were just so nice to that gentleman and his daughter.”