When the call came through of a man who had fallen through the ice in Bellport, the South Country Ambulance Special Operations Unit sprung into action. They were quickly on the scene and made the rescue.
Ambulance Ambulance Chief Gregory C. Miglino, Jr., picks up the action:
“Our first unit arrived in three minutes and was advised that there was a subject in the water approximately 1000 feet out from the beach. Our Special Operations unit with ice rescue equipment arrived on scene and deployed our assets and personnel out to the victim in the water. Within 10 minutes of being dispatched, the victim, a 65-year-old male, was retrieved from the water by our team and a civilian that had come to his aid.”
According to Chief Miglino, the man was transferred to shore using specialized equipment and “brute strength.” Once the victim arrived at the shoreline, he was loaded into a special Stokes Basket and brought onto land, where he was quickly transferred to the ambulance for further evaluation, treatment, and transport to Long Island Community Hospital for hypothermia.
The South Country Ambulance Ice Rescue Team includes Chief Gregory and Assistant Chief of Operations Brian Gilligan, who pulled the man from the icy water, and Lieutenant Wayne Caldicott. The Special Operations Team is led by Captain Neil Thomas, and Lt. Rob Lepre.
Miglino noted that the rescue team collaborated with fire departments from Bellport, Hagerman, Brookhaven, Mastic Beach, in addition to the Mastic Beach Ambulance, Suffolk County Police, and Bellport Village Code Enforcement.
“This should be a reminder to everyone that all ice is not safe, even during this cold stretch,” the Chief said. “It only takes a few minutes in this cold water for hypothermia to set in and a person to go down. Please practice common sense and Ice Safety when venturing out.”