FALMOUTH – Emergency officials responded to the public side of Old Silver Beach off Quaker Road after reports of a missing swimmer shortly before noon Tuesday. Lifeguards were actively searching the water. Fire department and U.S. Coast Guard rescue boats also responded. Divers were also requested to the scene.
Falmouth Fire-Rescue/CWN
Shortly after 2 PM, the search was being scaled back, apparently pending any further developments.
From Falmouth Fire-Rescue: Tuesday, at around noon, we received a call from on-duty Lifeguards at Old Silver Beach on Quaker Rd. in North Falmouth reporting a missing swimmer. Fire Rescue Department personnel with marine resources, along with the Town’s Harbor Master personnel and Police Department representatives, responded to the scene. Our Incident Commander arrived on scene and was advised that at least two beachgoers reported that they saw a male swimmer wearing a red shirt and baseball hat in distress off the beach. They did not see the individual leave the water and became concerned, notifying the lifeguards, who immediately entered the water to begin looking for the swimmer. A call was also initiated to the Fire Department for a response.
The Incident Commander requested mutual aid assistance, which prompted a response of fire department divers from the Mid and Upper Cape, the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Drone Unit, the Massachusetts State Police airwing, Falmouth Marine Environmental Services, the USCG, the Environmental Police, along with Falmouth Police and Falmouth Fire Rescue personnel and Marine Boats. A coordinated search was conducted off the public side of Old Silver Beach based on witness accounts. A search from the water and air ensued, and by 2:30 pm, it was determined that this was a good intent call and deemed unfounded. The search was suspended, and all units were placed back in service at that time.
We wish to extend our thanks to all mutual aid and public safety agencies that assisted in this search.
