Coast Guard Helicopter Crew Rescues Missing Swimmer

BOSTON (CBS) – A swimmer who went missing off Crane Beach in Ipswich Tuesday night has been rescued. The Coast Guard says a man and his son-in-law got caught in a rip current.

The son-in-law, identified as 28-year-old Alexander Auerbach of Edgartown, made it to shore. Randall Hackett, 58, of Ipswich, was missing at sea for several hours.

Both men were experienced swimmers and were wearing wet suits. They entered the water where Crane Beach and Steep Hill Beach meet at about 5:30 p.m. Family members went to the beach when they did not return and called 911.

After an hour of searching, a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod spotted Hackett in the water. He was hoisted into the aircraft and taken to shore.

Auerbach told police they got caught in heavy fog and were swept out by the current.

The Coast Guard says Hackett is in stable condition.