Woman Rescued After Vehicle Plunges Into Narrow Bay at Mastic Beach

A driver was rescued from Narrow Bay near the Mastic Beach Yacht Club on Tuesday morning after her vehicle entered the water, Suffolk County Police said. The incident unfolded shortly before 11 a.m., when boaters in the marina called 911 after seeing the vehicle go into the channel at about 10:44 a.m.

Two officers from the 7th Precinct in Shirley launched in a police boat and reached the scene within minutes. They were able to pull the woman from the water as the car was taking on water, with the vehicle fully submerged by 10:50 a.m., police said. The woman was transported to a local hospital for evaluation; authorities did not release further information about her condition.

The rescue took place amid frigid conditions, with the morning air temperature near 39 degrees, increasing the risk of hypothermia for anyone exposed to the bay. The rapid response by civilian boaters calling 911 and the coordinated action by police officers highlight the importance of both public vigilance and maritime-capable emergency response in waterfront communities.

Beyond the immediate life-saving outcome, the episode raises policy and public-safety questions for Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven. Shoreline parking, lighting, physical barriers and signage at marinas and waterfront access points are ongoing considerations for reducing the risk of vehicles accidentally entering the water. The incident also spotlights the operational readiness of precinct maritime units and the value of maintaining patrol boats and training for winter rescues.

For residents, the event is a reminder of hazards unique to coastal driving, particularly in colder months. Motorists traveling near marinas and shallow bays should exercise caution, confirm parking brake engagement and be mindful of visibility and road conditions. For community leaders and elected officials, the rescue offers a proximate example of why investments in shoreline safety, emergency equipment and public education carry tangible public-safety benefits.

The rescue also illustrates civic engagement in practice: private boaters who witnessed the plunge and called 911 played a crucial role in initiating the response. That collaboration between residents and first responders can be decisive in time-sensitive emergencies on the water. Suffolk County officials have not released additional details about the woman's condition or any investigation into how the vehicle entered the bay.