*** WATCH *** COPS, FIREFIGHTERS RISK THEIR OWN LIVES IN PERILOUS...

UPDATE – 9/27/2023 @ 6PM: NECN reports that the woman rushed to CCH has died… [CLICK HERE]

WEST YARMOUTH, Massachusetts – Shortly before 11:00 p.m. last evening, police and firefighters scrambled toward Bay View Street Beach for a vehicle that had just driven into the harbor with an occupant still inside. The first police officers on scene found a vehicle rapidly sinking into the treacherous currents at the entrance to Hyannis Inner Harbor. The driver, reportedly a woman, approximately in her forties, was still trapped inside. Officers quickly shed their gun-belts and gear, running into the water in an effort to free the woman. The vehicle had just sunk out of sight as HN arrived on scene. As you will see, a Yarmouth Police sergeant was so committed, he was almost sucked under with the sinking vehicle himself. A fellow patrolmen grabbed him and assisted him to safety.

The Hyannis FD Dive Team arrived on scene first, with other dive team members from across the Cape arriving shortly thereafter. Thanks to the brave efforts of the initial police and firefighters on scene, dive team members knew exactly where the vehicle was currently submerged, as it had already drifted about 50 yards with the outgoing tide.

Divers were able to eventually remove the woman from the submerged vehicle. She was quickly brought to shore in a rescue basket equipped with flotation devices.

She was unconscious and it didn’t look good. Firefighters placed her into an ambulance and transported her several blocks to nearby Cape Cod Hospital. The latest word was that she had pulse! … but she was still in rough shape, and nowhere near being out of the woods yet… [see official media statements from the YPD and YFD below…]

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]

YPD NEWS RELEASE | 9:00AM EDT Sept 26, 2023

CAR PLUNGES INTO WATER, WOMAN RUSHED TO HOSPITAL

WEST YARMOUTH, Mass. – A driver was pulled from the water late Monday night as the vehicle she was driving plunged into the ocean at Bayview Street Beach. Just after 10:30 p.m., Yarmouth Police and Fire officials responded to the beach located at a dead-end road after reports of a vehicle crashing and ending up about 100 feet out into the water.

When officers arrived, they discovered a car floating in the channel. A short time later, the car submerged and was eventually located in approximately 15 feet of water. Witnesses reported at least one person in the car.

Combined efforts between the Yarmouth Police Department, Yarmouth Fire Department and the Yarmouth Department of Natural Resources lead to successfully extricating the victim from the car.

The victim was transported to a local hospital. Foul play is not suspected.

Yarmouth Police commends the actions of the officers who bravely, without hesitation, entered the dark waters to attempt life-saving measures as well as the Fire/Rescue officials and Dive-Team members that worked diligently to rescue the victim.
……………….
YARMOUTH FD MEDIA STATEMENT:

Monday September 25th at 22:37 the Yarmouth Fire Department was notified of a vehicle that had driven into the water at the end of Bayview Street in West Yarmouth. While enroute to the
scene, responding companies were notified of a possible victim still inside the vehicle. The Barnstable County Dive Team was activated as well as the Yarmouth Department of Natural Resources.

Despite heroic efforts by Yarmouth Police who were first on scene, the vehicle had
gone too far and too deep to be reached by surface rescuers.

First arriving crews were able to quickly locate the vehicle and confirm a person was inside.

Divers were deployed from shore, located the vehicle, and were able to extricate the victim to an awaiting ambulance. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition. No further patient information is available.

Fast moving currents and zero visibility made the rescue and vehicle recovery challenging and time-consuming.

Fortunately, no emergency personnel were injured in the rescue or recovery
efforts.

Yarmouth Fire, Police, and Department of Natural Resources were assisted on scene by members of the Barnstable County Dive Team. Members were on scene from Barnstable, Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Hyannis and Joint Base Cape Cod. Mutual aid companies covered Yarmouth Fire Stations and responded to subsequent calls for service.

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by David Bowie… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]