LONGMEADOW — A Longmeadow father is a proud pappa these days after his 33-year-old daughter saved a drowning man’s life on Cape Cod.
Barnstable police say Frances Lonergan, a town native, was vacationing with her family and friends on July 5 when she noticed a man struggling in the water and screaming for help. Lonergan rushed into the surf at Dowses Beach in Osterville and rescued the 46-year-old swimmer in distress.
Her father, Kevin Lonergan of Longmeadow, wasn’t with his daughter at the time. He learned about her heroism in a cryptic text he received from his brother, who heard about the daring rescue in the news.
“My brother texted me to say he was back from vacation, and then he wrote, ‘Oh, by the way. That’s pretty cool about Frances,’” said Lonergan.
The confused father, who had no idea what his brother was talking about, immediately called his daughter.
“She told me they were on the beach with friends and somehow she saw the guy and she went out to get him. Some other people helped her bring him in,” Lonergan said.
Reminder Publishing was unable to reach Lonergan in Chicago where she works and lives with her family, including a newborn baby. But her dad said he’s not surprised she reacted quickly to help the struggling man.
“Frances is a really good person. She probably didn’t even think about it,” he said. Lonergan didn’t indicate his daughter had a background in emergency services or water rescues. He stated he and his wife made sure their daughters were good swimmers, enrolling them in swimming lessons when they were children.
“They’ve both always been comfortable in the water,” said Lonergan.
According to mental health researcher Verywell Mind, concern for the well-being of others is key to acting heroically in a crisis.
“People who rush in to help others in the face of danger and adversity do so because they genuinely care about the safety and well-being of other people. They cannot bear to see someone suffering and are compelled to take action,” the online publisher reported.
“One study published in 2009 found that people who have heroic tendencies also have a much higher degree of empathy. People who engage in acts of heroism have concern and care for the people around them and they are able to feel what those in need of help are feeling,” the online outlet continued. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, “there were 57 drowning deaths and 86 non-fatal near-drowning cases that required treatment at an acute care hospital in 2022.”
The executive office reports most of the drowning deaths occurred in natural bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, rivers and the ocean. Officials say drinking alcohol was involved in many of the deaths, while other people drowned because they couldn’t swim, were weak swimmers or were not wearing Coast Guard approved life jackets.
The office is issuing a warning that, “When swimming around natural bodies of water, it’s important to look for hazards including steep drop-offs, strong currents, and poor visibility in the water.”
Barnstable police say the swimmer Lonergan saved was “unfamiliar with the abrupt drop-off and strong current in the cannel (and) had begun yelling for help as he struggled to reach the surface.”
Police went on to praise Lonergan for her selfless act of courage.
“Without hesitation, she jumped into the channel and began pulling the victim to safety. The rescued swimmer was conscious and alert [and] was transported to [the hospital]. Witnesses explained that Mrs. Lonergan’s heroic actions undoubtedly saved the swimmer’s life,” police said.
Lonergan said he’s not sure what he would do in a crisis, but he’s proud of his daughter and her quick thinking. “I don’t think you truly ever know what you’re going to do until you’re in a situation,” he said. “I’ve been incredibly lucky in life with two wonderful daughters. They’re both hard working, successful adults. Despite their parents, they turned out fine,” he said with a laugh.
