A Colorado State University and Nantucket High School alumnus has been identified as the victim who died in an accidental drowning at the Ladies Beach in Nantucket, MA, on Saturday, 10 August 2024.
Police said 31-year-old Jack McGowan, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, passed away after he was pulled out of the water by a surfer at the Ladies Beach. The deadly incident happened just before 4 P.M. According to Nantucket Fire Department chief Michael Cranson, officials were called to the “critical situation at Ladies Beach” just after 4 p.m.
“Nantucket lifeguards acted swiftly, immediately initiating lifesaving measures upon removing the 31-year-old male from the water,” Cranson said in a statement released Saturday night. “The Nantucket Fire Department (NFD) arrived on the scene at 4:22 p.m. and worked in close coordination with the lifeguards.”
“NFD personnel began advanced life support procedures and quickly transported the patient to a waiting ambulance. The patient was then transported to Nantucket Cottage Hospital. Despite the best efforts of both the Nantucket lifeguards and the NFD, the patient unfortunately died. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time.”
Earlier in the day, the town prohibited all south coast beaches from swimming owing to harsh conditions, asking beachgoers to head to the island’s north shore instead. Lifeguards were flying double red flags from their stands along the south shore, signifying that swimming was prohibited on the monitored beaches.
