Longmeadow local’s ‘heroic act’ saves swimmer’s life on Cape Cod

BARNSTABLE – A Longmeadow native is credited with saving the life of a swimmer Friday while she was vacationing on Cape Cod.

Frances Lonergan, 33, was at Dowses Beach in Barnstable when a 46-year-old man began thrashing in the water and screaming for help.

“Without hesitation, she jumped into the canal and began pulling the victim to safety,” Barnstable police wrote on social media on Saturday.

A second passerby from New York, who was on vacation, saw Lonergan’s “selfless act” and jumped to her aid in rescuing the swimmer, police said.

“Witnesses stated that Mrs. Lonergan’s heroic actions undoubtedly saved the swimmer’s life. We are extremely grateful to the bystanders who risked their own safety to save the life of a complete stranger. Their actions are an example of true courage and compassion,” police said.

Lonergan, who now lives in Chicago, graduated from Longmeadow High School in 2008 and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University. She is a digital communications manager.

The child nearly drowned while she was at the beach with her husband, two sons (8 months and 3 years old) and other family members, said her father, Kevin Lonergan.

He said he had not been there, but had heard the story about his daughter’s actions from his brother.

“I’m so proud of her. She’s a great kid. I’ve been lucky; both of my daughters are great,” he said.

Lonergan said his daughter had always been a strong swimmer and the family was constantly around water, so he wasn’t surprised she was able to rescue someone in distress.

The man was conscious and alert after his rescue. He was taken to Cape Cod Hospital by ambulance as a precaution, police said.

The victim was swimming in a canal in the Osterville section of Barnstable. It is believed he was unaware of a sudden drop-off that takes swimmers into deeper water and that there was a strong current in the canal, police said.

Lonergan was traveling from Cape Cod and could not be reached for comment Sunday.