Off-duty firefighters, fishermen, and bystanders rescue 3 people from overturned car in Gloucester water

Off-duty firefighters, several lobster fishermen, and bystanders rescued three people Sunday morning after their car plunged into the water at St. Peter’s Park in Gloucester.

A pair of off-duty firefighters witnessed the crash from a boat in Harbor Cove. They called it into dispatch at 10:49 a.m., and one of them, Lt. William Doucette, entered the water to help alongside several local crew members from the Tight Lines lobster boat and a small group of bystanders, according to a statement from the Gloucester Fire Department. The fishermen had broken one of the car’s windows with a hammer to help free the occupants.

Gloucester fire crews arrived at the scene with the three passengers out of the car but still in the water. The three were alert when they were transported to local hospitals with varying injuries, officials said. Doucette was also transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

A preliminary investigation found that the car drove around granite barriers and over the seawall, falling 15 to 20 feet down and landing on its roof, according to the department.

“Three people could have easily been lost in Gloucester this morning if not for the bold and decisive actions of these two firefighters and a group of very brave bystanders,” Deputy Chief Tom LoGrande said in the statement.

“Fortunately it was low tide and not high tide,” he said.

A local tow company removed the car from the water.

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com