OGUNQUIT (WGME) – Two swimmers were rescued off the coast of Ogunquit Saturday.
Officials say after a combined effort, a single firefighter jumped into the water to save them.
Around 1:30 p.m. the Ogunquit Fire Department responded to the Norseman Hotel, near where two swimmers were in distress.
They say the two were about 150 yards from shore and fighting the heavy surf.
Officials boarded a boat and were helped by a local fisherman from Perkins Cove.
Ogunquit firefighter, Nathanael Pierce, went into the water alone and swam to the two swimmers and helped them safely to shore.
“Particularly the firefighters aren’t lifeguards, this is not something they do every day,” said Ogunquit Fire Chief Russell Osgood. “Firefighter Pierce did a great job getting those two folks to shore, and then evacuated them and transported them to the hospital for evaluation. So, kudos to him.”
Fire officials are reminding people the ocean is still very cold, in the mid 40’s.
Hypothermia can set in within minutes even with a wet suit.