Hero Bay Constables Save Man Struggling To Stay Afloat In Water, Fog

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A man struggling to stay afloat in the water during dense fog conditions Sunday was saved due to heroic bay constables in Hampton Bays, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, at 7:25 p.m., a call came in about calls for help coming from the water off Windermere Close in Hampton Bays. Senior Bay Constable Al Tuzzolo and Bay Constable Don Downs responded on a marine patrol vessel and Bay Constable Chris Fraser, from land, authorities said.

While officers and bay constables were searching the area, another call came in about a person yelling for help near Last Lane in Hampton Bays; the search continued in that area, police said.

Bay constables on the marine vessel found Andrew Wassle, 40, of East Quogue, struggling to stay afloat and disoriented, police said.

Tuzzolo and Downs pulled him aboard and transported him to U.S. Coast Guard Station Shinnecock where Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Wassle to an area hospital for further treatment, police said.

"If not for the efforts of the bay constables, this could have ended in a tragedy," police said.