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A family’s peaceful night on a boat off Cape Cod turns to horror when they are awakened by barking dogs, fireworks and smoke and discover their ship is on fire.
Tyler Sullivan and his parents, Patrick and Cynthia, went overboard Monday night, swimming in the dark to a nearby island. While Tyler and Patrick Sullivan survived the ordeal, Cynthia “Sissy” Sullivan, 73, suffered serious injuries and tragically died in a hospital on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office confirmed.
Patrick Sullivan, who was injured in the fire, is awake and breathing without help, his family posted Facebook,
Once Sullivan reached the small island, he hid in a barn and waited for help. they were gone falmouth on Friday and planned to return Tuesday after spending the weekend close to Naushon Island, the largest in the chain. Islands between Massachusetts Mainland and Martha’s Vineyard.
When the family did not return till Tuesday night, relatives started getting worried and the Coast Guard along with local authorities started searching. Other boaters were alerted to search efforts Tuesday night, according to audio provided by Broadcastify.com.
“Marine travelers are requested to keep a close watch and render assistance if possible, and report all sightings to the Coast Guard,” the alert said.
It wasn’t until Tyler Sullivan found a marine radio washed up on the beach that he was able to call for help Wednesday.
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Our ship has fallen into Tarpaulin Cove!” he told a Coast Guard dispatcher, noting that he and his parents had taken shelter in a farmhouse. “Our ship burned while we were sleeping and we barely escaped!”
The dispatcher asked Sullivan about his parents’ medical conditions and whether they were able to walk or get up.
The Coast Guard helicopter rescued the family and airlifted them to the hospital. Sullivan’s brother, Chris Sullivan, initially told WCVB-TV that his mother was in critical but stable condition. but he confirmed Facebook That she was dead.
He wrote, “When she passed we played some John Mellencamp with her, that was her absolute favourite, she loved it.” “This hurts more than I could have ever imagined, I lean on my close friends and family and my two young children. We will get through this together.”
Scott Backholm, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, credited the family for their prompt response to the fire.
“Quick thinking and having quality equipment helped the family survive and seek help,” he said in a statement.
Chris Sullivan praised his brother’s actions.
“My brother saved them both, he was able to get them off the boat in extremely chaotic circumstances, he doesn’t want to be called a hero, but he wants to be called a hero,” he wrote on Facebook.
Officials say that investigation into the matter is ongoing.