Captain saves local man’s life

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • Electronic Systems Center Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFPN) --  After Easter dinner April 11, Capt. Steve Thompson took a walk around Little Neck peninsula in Ipswich, Mass., not expecting anything more than to relax. He is assigned to the Electronic Systems Center’s networks and information integration program office here.

Suddenly, what had been the melodic putt-putt of a small motorboat returning to shore was interrupted by an odd roar. Captain Thompson looked just in time to see a small aluminum boat pitch violently and throw John Barton into the frigid Ipswich River.

“I yelled to another couple farther up the path and told them to call the Coast Guard,” Captain Thompson said.

Realizing he could not swim the half mile out in the 38-degree water, Captain Thompson quickly appropriated a small wooden dingy and life jacket and began paddling out into the river.

“I was afraid I would exhaust myself on the way out and not have the energy to get us back to shore,” he said.

Because the dingy was so small, Captain Thompson said he did not dare risk capsizing the boat, so he gave the life jacket to Mr. Barton and began towing him back to shore.

“When I got close enough to talk with him, I noticed his speech was very slurred. At first, I thought he had been drinking, but I later realized it was hypothermia,” Captain Thompson said.

On the way back to shore, Captain Thompson kept talking with Mr. Barton to keep him alert.

When the water was shallow enough to stand in, Mr. Barton tried to walk the rest of the way, but he could not stay on his feet. Captain Thompson jumped into the water and carried him to the beach.

During the rescue, Ranger Nancy Baisley, who is also a retired paramedic, watched from atop her perch on a nearby beach.

She relayed details to emergency people, who were soon on scene.

Mr. Barton’s core temperature was down to 90 degrees, his heartbeat was very erratic, and he was showing all the signs of severe hypothermia, Ms. Baisley said.

“[Captain Thompson] was the only one in any position to help John Barton,” she said. “He saved his life.”

Mr. Barton was treated for hypothermia by paramedics who rushed him to a local hospital, where he was treated and released, according to a report in the Boston Herald.