BOSTON — A Coast Guard helicopter crew found and rescued a person from the water Tuesday off Crane Beach in Ipswich.
Ipswich police notified the Coast Guard Tuesday evening that a father and son-in-law, who were both experienced swimmers, entered the water where Crane Beach and Steep Hill Beach meet at about 5:30 p.m. to swim and did not return home after as expected.
Concerned family members went to the beach and noticed the pair’s bikes were still on shore, but with no sign of the two men they immediately called 911 for help.
Ipswich police located the son-in-law in the water south of Crane Beach, who told police him and his father-in-law were caught in heavy fog and swept out by a rip current. Both men were wearing wet suits.
After an hour of searching for the other man, a Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod spotted the swimmer in the water. The man was hoisted into the aircraft and taken to shore where his care was transferred to emergency services personnel. He is reported to be in stable condition.
Two Coast Guard response boat crews from Coast Guard Station Gloucester, local fire and police personnel, and the Ipswich Harbormaster also searched for the man.
The Coast Guard reminds the public that water temperatures are rapidly dropping, meteorological conditions continue to deteriorate as the weather turns colder, and all mariners and swimmers should exercise appropriate caution in light of these season-changing hazards.
