West Tisbury Police responded to an incident of a male swimmer in distress at Long Point Wildlife Refuge Friday at 3:47 pm.
West Tisbury Police and lifeguards from South Beach worked together to pull him out of the water, Ben Retmier, chief of Tri-Town Ambulance, said. Retmier added that his crews said there was a strong rip current in the water, and the swimmer was having trouble getting back to the beach.
“Every available life-saving measure was taken in an attempt to save the individual,” West Tisbury Police Chief Bradley Cortez said.
Cortez added that they were able to get the man off the beach, and he was brought in an ambulance to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for further treatment.
The status of the man is currently unknown.
West Tisbury Police officers, personnel from the Trustees of Reservations, which manages the area, West Tisbury Fire, and the Tri-Town Ambulance responded to the medical call. Three lifeguards from South Beach, further east of Long Point, also responded via all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and arrived as West Tisbury Police officers did. Chilmark Fire responders were also at Quansoo Preserve, west of Long Point, to offer support.
Cortez commended the professionalism, teamwork, and rapid response demonstrated by everyone who assisted during this difficult incident, and Retmier said inter-agency operations went smoothly.
About the lifeguards, Cortez said they were incredible. “They drove the whole way.”
