Good Samaritan helps with water rescue

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- A good Samaritan and police in Bridgeport rescued a woman from the water at Captain's Cove Seaport Monday, police said.

The incident happened around 7:45 p.m., in the area of 126 Yacht St.

Police responded to the area after receiving a report of a person in or near the water screaming. Upon arrival police were flagged down and directed to Captain's Cove Marina.

When police pulled up, they spotted a 50-year-old man near the water holding on to a nylon tow strap. The woman was tied off at the other end of the strap, about 15 feet below near steel pilings, police said.

According to police, two responding officers grabbed the strap and attempted to pull the victim out of the water, but she began to slip from the strap that was tied around her torso.

One of the officers was able to grab her belt and the woman was pulled to safety.

The woman was taken to Saint Vincent's Medical Center. She was treated for hypothermia and lacerations to her leg and arm.

The good Samaritan told police he was walking his dogs when he heard someone yelling, "help, I can't swim."

According to police, the man said it took him approximately 8 minutes to locate the woman in the water and he then threw her the strap.

Police are not sure how long the woman was in the water for.

One of the officers suffered a laceration to his left hand during the rescue.

The names of the woman and the good Samaritan have not been released.