Milford Firefighters Rescue Swimmers In Distress

MILFORD, CT — Firefighters took to the water Monday night to assist some swimmers in trouble.

The Milford Public Safety Answering Point received a call about a swimmer in distress in the area of Charles Island and Silver Sands Beach. The Milford Fire Department responded with a water rescue assignment consisting of a 27-foot fireboat, 19-inch inflatable rescue boat, and a jet ski. A boat from the Milford Police Department was also dispatched and assisted the Fire Department marine units.

First responders to the Charles Island sandbar area discovered that five swimmers had been swept away from the sand bar by the dangerous current. Fire crews in the fireboat and inflatable craft rescued them, and turn them over to Milford Fire Department paramedics for evaluation.

None of the swimmers wished to be transported to the hospital, according to fire officials, and the marine units assisted them back to shore.

The Fire Department warned residents on social media to avoid the area: "Once again, the waters and tides near Charles Island are dangerous and should be avoided."