Lifeguards Save Two Swimmers At Lincoln Woods

LINCOLN, RI — Two men who wagered they could swim to the peninsula across Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park lost the bet, the Department of Environmental Management said. The swimmers took off Aug. 2 around 4 p.m. and had to be rescued. According to DEM, a lifeguard whistled at them when they moved beyond the "authorized swim area." They ignored the whistles and continued.

Lifeguard captain Gretchen Thompson, of Cranston, tried to call them back. When she was ignored, Andrew Turner, of Pawtucket, also a lifeguard went out with a paddleboard, reached one of the swimmers just as he started going down, and pulled him to safety.

Then lifeguard Corinne Cassidy, of Smithfield, took another surfboard for the second swimmer who was also sinking. She held him up until Thompson arrived in a boat. They pulled the unconscious man into the boat. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital. No information about his condition was available.

Courtesy Image: DEM