1 Taken To Hospital After Entering Cape Cod Waters While Suffering Mental Health Crisis

FALMOUTH, MA — Falmouth officials were on the scene to provide aid for a person in the middle of a mental health crisis recently, officials said.

On Aug. 26 just before noon, the Falmouth Police Department was dispatched to a report of an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers, accompanied by an FPD Clinician, began searching for the person with assistance from the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and the FPD Drone Unit, officials said.

Around 12:51 p.m., officers located the person near the bridge over Great Pond. The subject fled, entered the channel and swam beneath the bridge before clinging to a pylon in the middle of the waterway, officials said.

Officers secured the area and initiated negotiations.

Falmouth Marine and Environmental Services responded with a marine unit, joined by Falmouth Police Detectives and the BCSO K9 officer aboard the vessel. Falmouth Fire and Rescue also responded to assist.

Together, the multi-agency team approached the subject by boat, continued negotiations and safely persuaded the individual to board without further incident, officials said.

The person was taken to Falmouth Hospital for evaluation.