Distraught Man Pulled From Long Island Sound In New London

NEW LONDON — Local police and firefighters this morning likely saved a distraught man's life when they pulled him from the chilly waters of Long Island Sound at Ocean Beach Park.

"Without the quick actions and lifesaving techniques from the members of the New London Fire Department and the members of the New London Police Department, this patient's outcome would have been much worse," wrote NLFD Battalion Chief Jonathan Paige in a release this morning.

According to the New London Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched to the town-owned park at 1225 Ocean Ave. at 6:31 a.m. for a report of an "emotionally distressed" male in the water off a rock jetty at the park.

In a release issued this morning by the NLFD, all 16 on-duty firefighters responded by deploying an inflatable boat and donning cold water suits to brave the 48-degree water. They were at the scene by 6:36 a.m.

It was then that NLFD firefighter Jason Erban entered the water in a cold water suit and, tethered to a rope, was able to pull the man to shore just before 7 a.m.

Several firefighters and New London police officers were required to help the male onto the rock jetty.

The NLFD said responders immediatelly began warming measures, as the patient was suffering from hypothermia, which can be fatal. A fire department ambulance then transported the man to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. Fire officials said the man was in the cold water for about 20 minutes.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Waterford Fire Department's fire boat were called as well, but the call was canceled after the victim was removed from the water.