Groton, USA – Town of Groton Police officers braved freezing temperatures Wednesday evening to rescue a man from the icy waters of West Cove.

At approximately 7:21 p.m. on January 28, the Groton Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a man submerged at Spicer’s Marina on Marsh Road in Noank. The caller, a friend of the man, said he was losing feeling in his limbs.

The first officer on scene found the man in the water, being supported by his friend. The friend had secured him to the dock to keep his head above water after discovering him submerged. He had been in the freezing water for around 15 minutes, experiencing loss of movement in his arms and legs.

Officers requested additional units while helping the friend keep the man afloat. Teams worked quickly to clear large chunks of ice, allowing rescuers to safely pull the man onto the dock. Fire personnel then transferred him to a rescue stretcher for transport to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, where he received treatment for non-life-threatening cold-water injuries.

Authorities later learned the man had been dropped off at the marina earlier in the evening by his friend, who asked him to send a text after boarding his boat. When no message arrived, the friend returned to the marina, discovered him in the water, and attempted to help before calling 911.

The rescue involved multiple agencies, including the Noank Fire Department, Groton Long Point Police, Groton Long Point Fire Department, Mystic River Ambulance, Groton Ambulance, and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital personnel.

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