Massachusetts Boater Suffers Hypothermia, Slashed Leg In Fall: Sheriff

CUTTYHUNK ISLAND, MA — A Massachusetts man suffered a laceration to his leg and hypothermia after falling from his boat and struggling in the water for roughly two hours on Sunday, Barnstable County Sheriff's Office officials said.

Officers on the Sheriff's boat responded to the waters near Cuttyhunk Island around 2 p.m. on Sunday after hearing a distress call for a man overboard, they said. They identified him as Wayne Silvera, of Acushnet, Massachusetts.

As officials headed to Silvera's location, a "Good Samaritan" boat was already nearby and attempting to retrieve the man from the water, though they were experiencing some difficulty getting him out of the water and on-board.

Silvera was eventually pulled from the water by Chris Scanzillo, who is also a medic. Scanzillo was able to treat Silvera for a leg laceration and hypothermia, officials said.

They added that the laceration is believed to be from Silvera's own boat, as he reported that he'd fallen off the boat, resulting in a multi-hour struggle in the water.

Silvera was transported to the United States Coast Guard Station in Woods Hole, where Falmouth fire and rescue officials were waiting on the scene. He was treated for his lower leg injury, and his body temperature was raised to 94 degrees, officials said.

He refused transport to Falmouth Hospital, they added.