Off-Duty Firefighters Rescue 3 After Car Plunges '15-20 Feet' Upside-Down into Water, Saving Them from 'Mortal Danger'
Gloucester, Mass., authorities said a car containing three people "plunged about 15-20 feet into the water" at a park on May 18
Two off-duty firefighters and some bystanders helped rescue the victims, who were later hospitalized
"Three people could have easily been lost in Gloucester this morning if not for the bold and decisive actions of these two firefighters and a group of very brave bystanders," said a fire officialA group of off-duty firefighters and Good Samaritans are heroes after they helped rescue three people from a car that plunged into the water of a Gloucester, Mass., park.
In a news release from the Gloucester Fire Department, officials said it responded to the incident that occurred on the morning of Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter's Park.
The department said Deputy Chief Andrew McRobb and Lt. William Doucette, both of whom were off-duty at the time, witnessed the crash and alerted authorities around 10:49 a.m., local time.
Doucette entered the water and helped crew members of a local lobster boat who used a hammer to break one of the vehicle's windows so the occupants could get out, the fire department said.
'They worked together quickly with a small group of brave bystanders to help all three of the car's occupants out of the vehicle, which had landed on its roof,' the news release stated.
The submerged vehicle's occupants were freed but still in the water by the time emergency responders arrived at the scene, the department added. Doucette, McRobb and some bystanders administered aid to the victims and kept their heads safely above water.
The victims, who were conscious and alert following the rescue, were later taken to a hospital with various injuries, the department said, which added that Doucette was also transported for medical treatment with minor injuries.
'Lt. Doucette jumped into the water with little regard for his own safety,' Gloucester Fire Deputy Chief Tom LoGrande said, per the news release. 'I'm happy to report that Lt. Doucette is okay after this ordeal. Three people could have easily been lost in Gloucester this morning if not for the bold and decisive actions of these two firefighters and a group of very brave bystanders.'
LoGrande said it was fortunate that the incident happened during a low tide and not a high tide.
Gloucester Fire added that, based on a preliminary investigation, the vehicle 'was driven around granite barriers and over the seawall, where it plunged about 15-20 feet into the water.' The vehicle was towed from the water, the department said.
Police are investigating the incident.
Gloucester Fire Chief Eric Smith expressed gratitude to those involved in the rescue.
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'If not for all of their selfless efforts, this could have been a tragic day in Gloucester,' Smith said in the news release. 'Instead, this is an inspirational story of our community banding together to help three people in mortal danger. All of these people working together in an emergency makes me proud to be a Gloucester resident.'
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