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CBS News
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Off-duty firefighter and fisherman rescue 3 women after car plunges into water in Massachusetts
Three women were saved by quick-acting firefighters, fishermen and bystanders when their car plunged 15 to 20 feet into Harbor Cove in Gloucester, Massachusetts Sunday morning. Off-duty firefighter Lt. William "Buddy" Doucette wasted no time jumping into the water just before 11 a.m. when he heard the screech and saw a car flying into the air off the pier landing on the roof and trapping the occupants. Off-duty firefighter jumped into water "There wasn't any time to be scared because you had to react to get them out of the water. If they didn't get out of the water they would have died," said Doucette. "It's fight or flight, you either run towards the incident or you run away. I'm always the person that runs towards it." Lobsterman Captain Mark Lodge was only feet away himself, tied up right next to Doucette who was working on his own boat and grabbed a hammer. "I took the sledgehammer, reached down underneath the water and tapped the window and it broke instantly, I was able to open the door," said Doucette. The women were upside down partially submerged, strapped in by their seatbelts. It was an intense effort to keep the women's heads above water as rescuers tried to free them, using lobstermen's knives to cut the belts. "That saved those people's lives, I'm convinced of that, that quick action," said Gloucester Deputy Fire Chief Tom LoGrande. "It doesn't take long to drown." 3 women taken to hospital It's unclear the circumstances of why the women broke through a metal sign and around concrete barrier, but by the time they hit the water firefighters said they had already suffered injuries just from the crash. Fortunately, the water was at low tide which helped the rescuers get their footing. "The first lady we got out of the vehicle, her head was cut and bleeding pretty good. The second lady out, she was pretty pale in color, breathing, thank God," said Lodge. It was a rescue where every second counted, a fact not lost on Doucette. "I can honestly say that being there saved three people," said Doucette. The women were transported to hospitals with varying injuries while the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Boston Globe
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Boston Globe
Three people rescued after car plunges into Harbor Cove in Gloucester
The crash happened around 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Park, according to the statement. The driver went around granite barriers and over the seawall, before falling between 15 and 20 feet and landing upside down in the water. Several people, including crew members of a Gloucester-based lobster boat, witnessed the crash and jumped in the water to help, breaking one of the car windows with a hammer to help free the occupants. Two off-duty firefighters — Deputy Chief Andrew McRobb and Lieutenant William Doucette — also witnessed the crash and called for help before jumping in the water to help free the passengers. By the time fire crews arrived, all three passengers were freed from the car but remained in the water, according to the statement. Bystanders and the off-duty firefighters rendered aid until help arrived, according to the statement. Advertisement All three passengers were conscious and alert when they were removed from the water and transported to local hospitals. 'Fortunately it was low tide and not high tide,' Deputy Fire Chief Tom LoGrande said. Doucette was also taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, according to the statement. The car was later removed from the water by a local tow company. 'We'd like to thank everyone who helped get these three people get out of the vehicle,' said Gloucester Fire Chief Eric Smith. 'If not for all of their selfless efforts, this could have been a tragic day in Gloucester.' Advertisement Collin Robisheaux can be reached at
