Harvard Police Sgt. Aaron Cavanaugh, who recently received an award for saving a local man’s life in March 2024, saved another life just days ago while on vacation in Cancun, Mexico.
On Jan. 12, Cavanaugh was relaxing on the beach when he heard a woman screaming about 200 feet from shore. He could see a man who appeared to be unconscious going under the waves. Cavanaugh immediately dived into the choppy water and swam out to him.
Cavanaugh was able to bring the man back to shallow water, and a lifeguard helped carry him to shore.
Finding the man had a weak pulse but was breathing, Cavanaugh told the lifeguard to call an ambulance. The resort doctor also arrived to help and put the victim on oxygen, which brought him back to consciousness.
The man, who looked about 60 years old, appeared to be having a stroke. The ambulance arrived and took him to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had suffered a stroke. The resort doctor later told Cavanaugh the man was in stable condition with a good prognosis.
The dramatic rescue was reported on WMUR in Manchester, New Hampshire, near Cavanaugh’s home in Londonderry.
