2 Saved From Riptide In Falmouth

FALMOUTH, MA — A swimmer caught in a riptide and a Good Samaritan who tried to save her were saved at a Falmouth beach Wednesday, officials said. The woman was swimming at Old Silver Beach when she became trapped in a riptide that pulled her out to sea, according to Barnstable County Sheriff James Cummings. A Boston police dispatcher who happened to be nearby saw her in trouble and swam out to try and rescue her, Cummings said.

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The dispatcher soon became caught in the riptide too and the pair floated about 100 yards out to sea, Cummings said. A boater who saw the situation approached the pair, who were able to hold on to the sides of the boat before John Doherty, captain of the Barnstable Sheriff's patrol boat, pulled up to hoist them to safety.

The woman was hospitalized but expected to be OK. Riptides occur during stormy weather and can easily pull a swimmer out to sea. The best way to get out of one is sideways by swimming parallel to shore.

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