Whitman Man Rescued From Pond By Police and Fire Departments

A 63-year-old Whitman man is lucky to be alive after local police officers and firefighters pulled him from a pond and revived him.

At around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, Whitman Police and Fire responded to a 911 call for a possible drowning at Hobart Pond off Pond Street. Upon arrival, they found an adult male face down in the water, the police department said in a media release.

Whitman firefighters donned survival suits and pulled the man from the water. Police Sgt. Burt Henderson and Patrolman Robert Hoey rolled the victim onto his side to clear his airway. Officer Chris Lee and Sgt. David Gregory assisted.

The man was placed in a Whitman ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital. The individual was transported to a nearby hospital and was said to be alert and talking during transport.

Police Chief Timothy Hanlon and Fire Chief Timothy Grenno reported that both departments were involved in the water rescue over the weekend. The incident is currently under investigation.

While drowning is a leading cause of death for children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that two to three times as many adults drown as children, and that about 80 percent of drowning victims are 15 or older. Authorities say that even in near-drownings, oxygen deprivation can lead to brain damage.

Hobart Pond, owned by the Town of Whitman, is a popular spot for fishing and other forms of recreation. It's located within a 25-acre park that's well-used by members of the public.