A middle-aged man is recovering after suffering a medical emergency while swimming near Ship Rock in the East Branch of the Westport River on Saturday, July 4.
Harbormaster officials received a 911 call from a boat in the area reporting that the man had become unresponsive while in the water. Family members were able to bring him back aboard the vessel before Westport Harbormaster Bill Chace and retired Westport Police Officer David Simcoe, who was working patrol on the water with Chace, arrived aboard the harbormaster’s boat.
Chace and Simcoe immediately began life-saving measures, including CPR, while transporting the man to the Route 88 boat ramp. There, members of the Westport Police Department and Westport Fire Department continued emergency medical care before the victim was taken by Westport Fire’s Medical Rescue 1 to a local hospital. Firefighter-paramedics provided advanced life support throughout the transport.
The emergency response involved a coordinated effort by the Westport Harbormaster, Westport Police Department and Westport Fire Department. Officials said the rapid actions of everyone involved played a critical role in the man’s survival.
As of approximately 6:30 p.m., officials said details about the man’s exact condition remained limited, but they confirmed he survived the incident and appeared to be recovering.
“Strong work today by the Westport Harbormaster, Westport Police Department and Westport Fire Department as they conducted a coordinated emergency medical response to a high-priority medical emergency in the area of Ship Rock,” officials said in a statement. “Life-saving measures were conducted onboard the Harbormaster vessel, including CPR, before care was transferred to Westport Fire’s Medical Rescue 1 for advanced life support during transport to a local hospital. At last check, the outcome appeared to be positive.”
Officials said their thoughts are with the victim and his family as he continues his recovery.
