Man Rescued from Martins Pond This Morning

A North Reading resident was rescued from Martins Pond this morning by the . He was soaked and tired, but no other injuries were reported.

At 8 a.m., the town Building Inspector Jim DeCola, who lives on the backside of the pond, called the Fire Department to report a man screaming for help. The Fire Department rushed to the scene, and found a North Reading resident in the water. 

The man, who often spends time at the pond, was out on his boat when it tipped over. The flat bottom boat had a trolling motor, and the man was unable to flip it back over.

"He was in the water for about an hour," Firefighter Kevin Carter said. "He was exhausted when we found him; he was laying flat out on the boat. We had launched our boat and pulled him out of the water onto ours and brought him to shore."

The Fire Department arrived with three vehicles -- an engine, a pick-up truck for the boat, and a Reading ambulance. "We had to strike the box for help," Carter said. "Our ambulance was on another call." 

No injuries were reported.

"He was soaked and exhausted," Carter said.

The man was evaluated, but refused to go to the hospital. He just wanted to get home safely, which he did, thanks to the Fire Department.