Two swimmers in critical condition after being swept away in Newburyport

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Two swimmers have been taken to a hospital after being rescued from the Merrimack River.

According to a spokesperson from the Coast Guard, members of the Merrimack River Station had recieved a call from a concerned person near Joppa Flats regarding two swimmers who were swept away while swimming.

Then, around 7:08 PM, crewmen of the Merrimack River Station deployed a 47-foot boat to make their way towards the unconscious swimmers.

Around 7:17 PM, a Good Samaritan on a fishing boat was able to rescue the first swimmer and brought her to the Lady’s Pier of Captain’s Fishing Parties and Cruises Pier in Plum Island Point.

Then, at 7:23 PM, another Good Samaritan on a fishing boat was able to rescue the second swimmer. Two members of the Merrimack Station embarked on the Good Samaritan’s boat to render first aid to her. She was then transferred back to Lady’s Pier.

“I heard the Coast Guard went onto one of the boats and was yelling CPR,” said Jacob Kirk, who lives nearby. “I’m kind of not like shocked because it is the Merrimack, and like every year, I feel like something happens here, there are signs everywhere that say no swimming.”

The Coast Guard says that both swimmers were unresponsive at the time of being rescued.

Both swimmers recieved on-scene care from Atlantic Ambulance EMS and Newburyport Fire crews and then were transferred to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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