Teen In Critical Condition After Water Rescue In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A teen pulled Thursday from Ash Creek remained in "very critical condition" Friday, according to law enforcement.

First responders received the report of a swimmer in distress at 6:08 p.m. Thursday, according to a Fairfield Fire Department news release. The fire department dispatched engines and boats to the scene, and began searching for the victim, who law enforcement identified as a 15-year-old boy from Bridgeport.

Fairfield police saw the teen floating from shore and directed rescuers to the victim, who was removed from the water at 6:24 p.m. and taken to the South Benson Marina, according to the news release. The teen was unconscious at the time of the rescue, fire officials stated in a Facebook post. As of Thursday, the victim had been transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital, according to Fairfield Fire Department Lt. Robert Smith.

The incident began when four juvenile males entered the water from the peninsula at St. Mary’s By The Sea, but were overcome by the incoming tide that created a current in the area, according to a statement from Bridgeport police Capt. Brian Fitzgerald. The other three males were able to make it back to shore, Fitzgerald stated.

After the rescue, it was determined the incident occurred on the Bridgeport side of the creek. Bridgeport police have taken over the investigation.