BRICK – Police rescued a woman who was swimming at night in the Metedeconk River after her friends lost sight of her.
The woman was swimming in the Eagle Point area of the Metedeconk at around 9 p.m. on Aug. 15. There was a strong current and strong winds creating rough waters, police said. People on her boat lost sight of her for a few minutes and called 911.
Officers responded to Eagle Point, and two police boats launched from Trader’s Cove Marina. The Coast Guard, State Police Marine Unit and the Brick Fire Department Dive Team were all notified as officers converged on the area where the victim last went missing.
Officers John Alexander and Eric Haugh were navigating one of the police boats in the area where she had last been seen when they heard a faint call for help.
The officers spotted her, and saw she was having trouble keeping her head above water. They threw here a life ring but she was too weak to grab onto it.
Officer Haugh drove the police boat down current from the woman while Officer Alexander began taking off his police gear to make a water rescue, police said. The currents brought the woman up to the side of the boat before Officer Alexander had to get into the water. The two officers were able to grab her arms and pull her aboard.
The woman was blue and semi-conscious. Officer Alexander kept her awake and gave her first aid while Officer Haugh brought the police boat to Eagle Point where other officers and EMTs were standing by. She was transported to Ocean Medical Center where she was treated for acute aspiration pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Chief James Riccio commended the officers involved for their quick response and preparedness.
