WATER RESCUE: Extremely hypothermic woman pulled from chilly surf...

HYANNIS – It’s a miracle two men walking their dogs along Kalmus Beach noticed the distressed woman and called police. It’s estimated she had been in the water for about 30 to 40 minutes and it’s unlikely she would have survived too much longer.

According to online sources, today’s sea temperature was 43 degrees (F) in the Hyannis area. An adult submerged in 40 to 50 degree water will suffer exhaustion and/or become unconscious in about 30 to 60 minutes, with death occurring in as little as one hour. It varies, and some may able to survive longer…

When HN arrived at about 8:30AM, the 24-year-old woman was wading about 20 to 35 feet from shore, at times completely submerged. She was definitely disoriented and helpless when the first Barnstable Police Officer arrived on scene. The Barnstable Police Officer tried to coax her back into safety and kept an eye on her as Hyannis Rescue rushed to the scene, but it was clear she was unable to help herself.

As you will see in the following photos and video footage, a firefighter quickly suited up and went into the wintry water to pull the distressed woman to shore.

The woman’s boyfriend arrived at the scene just prior to rescue. It’s uncertain why the woman ended up in the water, but a source on scene reported it may have been a reaction to some type of drug.

The woman’s garments were located nearby by one of the men who discovered her. He told HN he had just arrived after “driving up” from New York and just happened to be walking along the shore while saying prayers for a friend of his who drowned about a year ago.

The woman was suffering extreme hypothermia and was transported to CCH.

If the two men walking their dogs had not noticed the woman and called police when they did, it’s quite likely she could have succumbed to hypothermia and/or drowned.

The following stills and video footage, edited to protect the patient’s identity, begins just after the first police officer arrived on scene…

[Press play… select HD in the settings…]