Two Swimmers Swept Out to Sea in Maine Rescued by Quick-Thinking Firefighter Who Jumped in After Them

It's always an amazing thing when we can share stories about Maine heroes and the people that benefitted from that saving. And, due to the fast-action of local firefighters over the weekend, we have another amazing story to share.

Though the story starts off with some of the scariest circumstances many will ever face, the ending is as good as you could hope for. According to WGME 13, two people were swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off of Ogunquit on Saturday when they began to get pulled out to sea by the powerful surf.

WGME reports that officials from the Ogunquit Fire Department responded to calls for help from the Norseman Hotel at around 1:30 on Saturday afternoon. When crews responded and began working on figuring out the best method to rescue the pair, a lone firefighter dove into the water and swam out to the distressed swimmers.

While Ogunquit Firefighter, Nathaniel Pierce, dove in after the two, the other officials were able to board a fishing vessel and ride out to the scene. Fortunately, both wayward swimmers were able to be pulled from the frigid water and saved.

This has also prompted local officials to remind Mainers and visitors alike that it is only early May and that the ocean temperatures are still in the 40s. Temperatures which causes hypothermia to set-in within minutes of exposure. Officials in Maine are urging all those who venture near or into the water to use extreme caution.

Ogunquit Fire Chief Russell Osgood, told WGME in part,

“Particularly the firefighters aren’t lifeguards, this is not something they do every day. 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.”