Newton Patch has the story of a 47-year-old Needham man who was swimming in the middle of Crystal Lake in a thunderstorm and pouring rain.
Once fire crews arrived on scene, they spotted the swimmer bobbing up and down in the water. His entire body, including his head, was moving up and down and his arms were in the air flapping around, reports said. The department’s emergency response boat then set out into the lake to rescue the swimmer.
However, when rescuers got close to the swimmer, he started swimming away and began screaming at the fire crews saying, “why are you here?”, “leave me alone”, “I don’t need your help”, and “who called you?”
I’m rather surprised there have been no comments to this thread.
Where are all the SOR folks?
TWT — Take a look at the comment on the Patch. The responder agrees that the swimmer didn’t need help. Triathlete training banned here too?
TWT– Do you think the man involved in this incident was on a recreational swim? Sounds more like attempted suicide to me. Who in their right mind goes out for a swim during the middle of a lightning storm?
@Mike,
Good question! I believe the man was simply on a recreational swim. If he was suicidal, the Police would have sent him to the hospital for an evaluation. He could have gone voluntarily or they could have written a “pink slip” for him and made him go, even against his own will. In this case, he simply went on his way after the Police were done with him.
My issue with it is that his “right” to swim at his own risk endangered the responders who were sent to help him. It is clear that the person who called the police did so out of pure concern for the safety of the swimmer. It’s this kind of disregard for the rules that I continue to stress is the biggest problem at Crystal Lake. It’s just not okay to swim there, rain, shine or lightening, simply because you disagree with the rules.
Is there not an unofficial steward of the lake? someone perhaps an immediate abutter with a boat, dock, and common sense enough to handle unclear queries by neighbors thus avoiding having to call the first responders..
makes one wonder just how insulated and unaffected neighhbors of Crystal are.
Schlock: You’re suggesting that if you think someone is drowning that you call an “unofficial steward” and chat about the matter for a while? Maybe invite abutters over for a cookout and IF folks still think he might be drowning THEN call 9-1-1 after desert?
Makes me wonder if you’ve been drinking the Crystal Lake water.
Does anyone know what the exact rules are regarding swimming in Crystal Lake (assuming the water quality is fine)? I’m referring to detailed rules. Let’s say an an abutter goes for a swim in the lake. Exactly where is s/he allowed to swim? What if s/he ends up close to Livingston Cove? Can he be ticketed? This story made me wonder.