Seven swimmers rescued, two hospitalized at Seabrook, N.H., beach

Seven swimmers were pulled from the water and two of them were given CPR Sunday after being caught in a possible rip current at Seabrook Beach in New Hampshire, authorities said.

Seabrook police responded to a call reporting six swimmers “struggling in the water’’ off Seabrook Beach, near 131 Ocean Drive at about 12:25 p.m., according to a statement from deputy chief Brett Walker.

A seventh swimmer, who was helping in the response, was also rescued, Walker said.

Emergency responders performed CPR on two of the swimmers, and resuscitation efforts were still in progress when they were taken to local hospitals, according to Kassandra Lee, a dispatcher at the Seabrook fire department.

One of the two swimmers, a woman, was taken to the Seabrook Emergency Room, Walker said in an e-mail. The other, a man, was the last swimmer rescued at 12:59 p.m., and he was taken to Anna Jaques Hospital.

The condition of those swimmers was not immediately available.

Officer John Giarrusso, who was one of the first on scene, “shed his duty gear and entered the water assisting several of the parties to shore,’’ Walker said in the statement.

Giarrusso then returned to the water to search for a missing swimmer on a surfboard, he said.

Rescue efforts were also assisted by Hampton Beach lifeguards, who responded with a rescue boat and jet skis, according to the statement. Seabrook Beach, which is not staffed with lifeguards, is just south of the well-known Hampton Beach.

“The quick and selfless actions of the police officers, firefighters, and lifeguards was essential in removing all parties from the rough waters today,’’ Walker said. “The interagency teamwork was exemplary given the circumstances.’’

Officials have not confirmed if there was a rip tide, but earlier in the day, police urged visitors not to swim at the beach due to “dangerous currents.’’

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The scene was cleared at 1:40 p.m., Lee said.