Human chain in Cape May rescues swimmer trying to help others

CAPE MAY — When a swimmer helping three people they thought were in danger on Friday night needed help themselves some quick thinking and the help of local first responders helped bring everyone to shore safely.

According to the City of Cape May Fire Department's Facebook page the incident happened before 6 p.m. on Friday in the area of Beach and Philadelphia avenues. With nearby units only a few blocks away they were able to respond to the scene in just a matter of seconds where they were told there were three victims in the water.

"This was quickly changed to one victim in the water that was attempting a rescue while the original three victims were able to make it to shore," the post said.

The fire department dispatched two rescue swimmers into the water, and when the Cape May Beach Patrol arrived they used other lifeguards along with the fire fighters to form a human chain. With the help of a retrieval line from the Cape May Fire Department and the Cape May Police Department everyone was returned safely to the shore, the department said. Additional assistance was also provided by U.S. Coast Guard Fire Department Station 59.

Four victims were treated upon returning to the sand and all four were taken to Cape Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com