DEERFIELD — Two local firefighters are being recognized for their bravery for leaping into river water to try to save a 30-year-old farm hand who drowned July 16 near where the Deerfield and Connecticut rivers meet.
A recent letter of commendation, written by Police Chief John Paciorek Jr., recognizes the “bravery, team spirit, dedication to duty and skills” of both men, Turners Falls firefighter Michael J. Currie and Gill firefighter Eric Vassar.
According to the letter, Wilver Perez, a Guatemalan native living in Springfield, was swimming in the Connecticut River with co-workers during a lunch break to cool off, when he disappeared into the water. He was working for Nourse Farms, which has land near the confluence of the two rivers in East Derfield.
Currie was nearby, off duty, when he heard his pager go off, alerting him to the emergency.
“My understanding is that Currie was out on a run,” said Fire Chief Robert Escott, Turners Falls Fire Department. “He heard the tone go off, and went to see if he could be of assistance. He was the first one there.”
Currie said he ran to the river and found the victim’s friends standing near the water. Vassar arrived to help almost as soon as Currie got to them.
“I looked to my left, and I saw Eric coming to help,” he said. “Eric and I are very close friends; it’s ironic that he was there.”
Paciorek said when town police officers arrived, the two firefighters were already in the water, had found Perez and were swimming him back to shore.
Although the two firefighters began CPR on the victim immediately after they got to shore, and continued until he was transferred to Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Perez was declared dead a few hours later.
“It was unsuccessful,” Escott said, noting the efforts of firefighters in performing CPR. The commendation notes that “the only reason he had a fighting chance was due to Currie and Vassar.”
You can reach Andy Castillo at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo