Jet Skiers Rescued Off Falmouth After Getting Caught In Riptide
FALMOUTH (CBS) – Two men were rescued after the Jet Ski they were riding on overturned off Falmouth Friday evening.
Falmouth Fire officials says the two men were not wearing life jackets, and got caught in a riptide.
Witnesses say the men got overturned by a big wave. "They both like went up in the wave, and they fell off the Jet Ski," said Megan Gates. "The Jet Ski went one way and the boys went the other way. Then the Jet Ski started floating away and they started calling for help.
One man was assisted by bystanders and pulled from the water.
The second man was being carried out to sea, but was picked up by an incoming boat that was contacted by officials on the radio.
"You'd see the waves, you'd just barely see his head, then once in a while you wouldn't see his head," said Harry Frederoski. "A couple times there I thought he was gone."
The Good Samaritans on the boat brought the man to a local dock. He was transported to Falmouth Hospital to be treated for hypothermia.
"He was in serious trouble, he was within two minutes of dying," said Russell Gates, who helped with the rescue. "No question. Two minutes, no more."
Both of the men are in their 20s or 30s and are from Falmouth.
The Coast Guard, harbormaster and Falmouth Police and Fire responded to the scene.