Full Notification

A Suffolk County Police sergeant rescued a man who had fallen from a boat into the Great South Bay in Bayport tonight.

A resident called 911 after seeing two people in the water in Great South Bay, near a boat, a half-mile off shore, at approximately 7:10 p.m. While Marine Charlie was responding to the scene, a Sea Tow Great South Bay vessel arrived to assist the boat that had run out of fuel. One of the people in the water had already swam back onto the 19-foot Bayliner and the captain of the Sea Tow vessel, Julie Lindell, went into the water and attempted to rescue the other person, an adult male, but was unsuccessful.

Marine Bureau Sgt. John Vahey arrived and witnessed the man go under water. He jumped in and positioned a life ring under the man’s shoulders while holding the man’s head above water. The victim, who was intoxicated and suffering from hypoxia, was combative during the rescue. Bayport and Sayville Fire Department boats responded. Bayport Firefighter Ed Somerville went into the water to assist. Members aboard the Sayville Fire Department boat pulled the victim aboard and also brought Sgt. Vahey and Somerville onto the boat.

The adult man was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for non-life-threatening injuries.

-30-

Authority:
Geraldine Hart, Commissioner     18-419760

Suffolk County Police Department  DS/2358