An 81-year-old woman from New York died Friday after local authorities said she was caught in a possible rip current off Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown.
The US Coast Guard found Nancy Gear of New York floating in the water after officials launched a response boat and helicopter crew to locate her and two others in response to a report of three swimmers in distress, according to authorities.
A spokesperson for the US Coast Guard said the helicopter crew initially located Gear in the water and directed the boat to her location. The boat crew “recovered” Gear and “immediately began CPR while returning to Station Provincetown, where local EMS was waiting,” the spokesperson said.
“EMS continued lifesaving efforts while transporting the woman to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, where she was later pronounced deceased. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse said public safety agencies initially responded to a report around 3 p.m. of distressed swimmers swept up in a potential rip current — a powerful, narrow channel of water flowing away from the beach.
The two other swimmers were brought back to shore safely in stable condition. Their names have not been released.
“Incidents like this are a painful reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can become dangerous,” Morse said. “Our hearts are with those impacted by today’s incident, as well as their families and loved ones.”
State Police and the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office are investigating the incident.
Chris Van Buskirk can be reached at chris.vanb@globe.com. Follow him on X @byChrisVan Shannon Larson can be reached at shannon.larson@globe.com. Follow her @shannonlarson98.