On Wednesday, June 4, at approximately 6:38 a.m., the Plymouth Emergency Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting that a man had fallen off his kayak and was struggling in the water. Plymouth Police Officers Thomas Foley and Josh Smith were the first to arrive on scene. The caller pointed them to an unmanned kayak circling about 100 feet offshore, powered by a trolling motor. What initially looked like a buoy was, in fact, the unconscious male, face down and partially submerged in the water.
Without hesitation, Officers Foley and Smith took swift action. They secured their duty gear, gathered rescue equipment, and launched into a life-saving effort. Officer Smith put on a life jacket and boarded the unmanned kayak had thankfully motored towards shore, using it to reach the man in the water. Plymouth Fire Department launched their rescue boat and met our officers 100 yards offshore with the victim. They were able to transport the victim to shore where he was initially unresponsive with no pulse.
He was immediately taken by Brewster EMS to BID Plymouth and lifesaving efforts continued where the victim regained a pulse and was breathing on his own. The victim remains in serious condition, and while there are signs of progress, we are unable to official confirm the status of his recovery.
Officer Smith was also transported to BID Plymouth due to extended exposure in the frigid 50-degree water. Officer Smith was treated and is now home resting with his family.
For more information, please read the full press release here: https://bit.ly/459damx
The teamwork shown by Officer Smith and Officer Foley, along with the Plymouth Police Department, Plymouth Fire Department, and Brewster EMS prevented what could have been a devastating loss.
The Town of Plymouth thanks and is incredibly proud of the bravery, professionalism, and teamwork shown by all involved.