Near Drowning Victim Identified; Condition Unchanged [Update]

Update 4:35 p.m.

The 77-year-old Bridgeport woman who nearly drowned off Jennings Beach Wednesday morning has been identified by police as Emma Shtypel of Norman Street.

Police about 3:30 p.m. said in a news release that her condition has not changed and that her family has been notified.

Original story:

A 77-year-old Bridgeport woman who nearly drowned off Jennings Beach Wednesday morning remains in critical condition at Bridgeport Hospital, police said about 10:30 a.m.

Bridgeport Hospital spokesman John Cappiello confirmed the woman's condition about 11:05 a.m.

Police said the woman was swimming off the beach as part of her daily routine when residents saw her appear to be in distress and go under water about 7:49 a.m. They notified two nearby town Department of Public Works' employees, and James Worsfold, a college student and seasonal DPW worker, raced into the water, swam out past a buoy and pulled her toward the shore, according to police and the DPW.

Michael Deliberti, also a college student and seasonal DPW worker, assisted as Worsfold got closer to the shore and began to tire, DPW officials said.

Betty Gunter, a registered nurse and wife of a retired police lieutenant, started CPR, and Police Officer Bill Demotses, a member of the Police Department's Dive Team, and Officer John Moran, a former member of the Dive Team, continued life-saving efforts on the shore, police said. The woman was taken by AMR Ambulance Co. to Bridgeport Hospital, police said.

The woman swims at Jennings Beach every morning after parking her car at a friend's house by South Benson and Judson roads, police said. "That's her daily routine," said Police Sgt. Sue Lussier.