New Yorkers Rescued from Waters off of South End in New Bedford

Two swimmers that were in distress are doing fine now after the efforts of the New Bedford Fire Department. The male and female swimmers were reported to be in distress after a South End resident spotted them clinging to a buoy far from the shore near Monkey Island. The Fire Department dispatched a boat, and the two were picked up.

Fire Chief Michael Gomes says swimmers should never stray too far from shore. "There are swimming buoys that are put out to mark the proper swimming areas, especially when you're not familiar with the waters in question. And the tides and currents may make for a more treacherous adventure than what you're expecting," said Gomes.

Gomes says the teens were visiting the city from New York on a school trip. They were visiting the municipal beach when they tried to swim out to a buoy and became too fatigued to swim back.