SEABROOK — A man died and a woman suffered life-threatening injuries after a group of swimmers was rescued from choppy water off Seabrook Beach on Sunday afternoon, authorities say.
A 49-year-old Methuen man was pronounced dead at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, while a 47-year-old woman, also of Methuen, remains hospitalized at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, according to a press release from the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol.
The names of the victims will be released after family is notified, the release states.
Seabrook police responded to 131 Ocean Drive for a report of multiple swimmers struggling in the water at around 12:25 p.m., Seabrook police said in a press release.
Seabrook police Officer John Giarrusso, who was first on scene with Officer Zach Bunszell, “shed his duty gear and entered the water” to assist several parties to shore, the release said. Giarrusso then returned to the water on a surfboard to search for the last person who was still unaccounted for.
Seven people were pulled from the water, including six original swimmers in distress and one good Samaritan, who aided in the rescues. Four of the six were not injured, although two swimmers were unconscious when they were helped to shore and CPR was started, according to the Marine Patrol press release.
“The quick and selfless actions of the police officers firefighters, and lifeguards, was essential in removing all parties from the rough waters today,” Seabrook Acting Chief of Police Brett Walker stated in the release. “Our officers on scene, along with the Seabrook and Hampton fire departments and lifeguards, quickly and efficiently coordinated both a targeted search and rescue area for those in the water as well as land-based evacuation for those requiring transport.”
Choppy water may have been a factor in the incident, though all aspects remain under investigation, the Marine Patrol release states.
Posts warning of dangerous water currents off Seabrook Beach were made by emergency crews following the incident.