Vermont First Responder Who Saved 20 Year-Old From Drowning: A Humble Hero
"He did what he was trained to do and walked away.”
YORK, Maine — A Vermont first responder who heroically saved a 20-year-old woman from drowning at Long Sands Beach in York over Memorial Day weekend wants no recognition for his actions. “He doesn’t want any fanfare,” a York Police Department spokesperson said. “He just wanted to go on with his weekend.”
On Saturday afternoon, the off-duty responder sprang into action when he spotted the woman struggling in the frigid, turbulent waters of Long Sands Beach. With ocean temperatures around 50 degrees and large waves fueled by an offshore storm, conditions were perilous. The man pulled the woman to safety, performed CPR, and restored her breathing before emergency services arrived.
York Fire Chief David Apgar commended the responder’s quick thinking. “Getting the swimmer to reestablish breathing was huge,” he said. “That intervention was critical.”
When police and EMTs reached the scene, the woman was already breathing on her own, thanks to the responder’s efforts. She was rushed to a Boston hospital in serious condition and, as of Tuesday, remains hospitalized but stable, according to York police.
The incident occurred during a busy holiday weekend with hundreds of beachgoers, but no lifeguards were on duty — a common situation in York until late June. Chief Apgar noted that the combination of cold water, which can trigger hypothermia, and powerful waves posed significant risks. “The waves were really large because of the storm off the coast,” he said. “It’s a hazard, especially for inexperienced swimmers.”
Local beachgoers expressed unease about the absence of lifeguards. “It’s definitely a risky situation,” said Owen Boyer from South Berwick. “People bring their kids, and if they’re not watching closely, it can get dangerous.” Roger Hagopian, a Boston visitor, advised caution: “Just go up to your waist. It’s not worth jeopardizing your life.”
While the cause of the near-drowning remains unclear, hypothermia and the strong undertow are possible factors, Apgar said. Despite the dangers, he acknowledged that keeping people out of the water on a holiday weekend is nearly impossible.
The rescued woman’s identity has not been disclosed, and the Vermont responder has chosen to remain anonymous, quietly resuming his weekend after saving a life. “He did what he was trained to do and walked away,” a police official said, underscoring the humility behind his heroic act.