A near-drowning that almost became a double drowning occurred off the beach at Watch Hill late on the afternoon of May 27th. A 41-year-old man got caught up in rough surf and was being carried out to sea by a rip current. His companion, a poor swimmer, attempted to help him, but almost drowned in the process. Three teens in wetsuits who were surfing nearby responded. They used their surfboards as flotation devices and brought him to shore. Although conscious when he reached the beach, he was incoherent, vomiting, and appeared to be suffering from both hypothermia and shock. Rangers from the East District helped the man from the water and immediately began administering oxygen and providing other medical assistance. He was medevaced by helicopter to a local hospital, where he was treated and kept under observation, then released. The man’s companion was able to get to shore without assistance and was unharmed. This beach is one of two in the park that has lifeguards during the summer, but they do not come on duty until June 25th.
