Suffolk Police Sergeant Saves Apparently Suicidal Woman From Drowning In Moriches Bay
MASTIC BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A police sergeant on Long Island made a daring rescue of an apparently suicidal woman who was drowning in Moriches Bay.
According to police, a group of teenagers observed the woman walk into Moriches Bay in Mastic Beach while fully clothed.
Several of the teens tried to swim out to the woman, but turned back because of the frigid water temperature, police said.
The teens told police they saw the woman go under and that they did not expect to find her. When they returned they called 911.
Suffolk County Police Sgt. Paul Mercready was near the area and responded to the scene immediately, police said.
After spotting what appeared to be clothing about 50 yards out in the water, Mercready jumped into the icy fray and swam fully clothed in his police uniform to the woman.
When Mercready reached the woman, police said he was about to perform several rescue breaths, but the woman opened her eyes.
The sergeant pulled the woman to shore around 7:10 p.m.
The woman suffered from hypothermia and was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said.
Sgt. Mercready did not require medical attention.
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