NEWBURYPORT (CBS) Three people were rescued Wednesday afternoon in the area of Plum Island after they were swimming off a sand bar in the Merrimack River.<\/p>\n
The three adults were in an area they shouldnt have been swimming in when they became distressed, the harbormaster said.<\/p>\n
A husband and wife went onto the sandbar at low tide to enjoy the view of the Merrimack meeting the ocean.<\/p>\n
The danger is going out at low tide and then losing context of when the tides coming in, said Bill Hickey, of Newburyport.<\/p>\n
The tidal shift swallows much of the sandbar, leaving people blocked in by the swift current, where a misstep can put someone in over their head.<\/p>\n
Although at low tide it seems safe, its just simply not safe with the current, so its just not a place that you want to swim, said Jennifer Charos, of Plum Island.<\/p>\n
Just before 3:30 p.m., 911 callers reported a couple struggling in the channel. A Good Samaritan who jumped in to help also ended up in distress. The harbormaster rescued two of the people and the Coast Guard saved the third.<\/p>\n
The current will take you away, Hickey said.<\/p>\n
The three were brought to the dock for medical evaluations, and one was transported to the hospital.<\/p>\n
There were no lifeguards on duty because of COVID-19.<\/p>\n
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3 Swimmers Rescued From Merrimack River Near Plum Island - CBS Boston<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NEWBURYPORT (CBS) Three people were rescued Wednesday afternoon in the area of Plum Island after they were swimming off a sand bar in the Merrimack River. The three adults were in an area they shouldnt have been swimming in when they became distressed, the harbormaster said. A husband and wife went onto the sandbar at low tide to enjoy the view of the Merrimack meeting the ocean. Continue reading