Two Barrington police officers jumped into the Barrington River early Monday morning, May 31, to rescue a woman in distress.

Police received a call at about 8:40 a.m., from a New Meadow Road resident who said he saw a woman run through his yard and throw herself into the river. Just moments later police officers arrived, but already the woman had been whisked down-river by the strong current and was clinging to a bike path bridge piling. 

Police said the woman was screaming. 

Barrington Police Officers Sean Murphy and Michael Gregorzek were the first two policemen on the scene, parking their cruisers at Police Cove Park. Officer Murphy climbed into a boat with a nearby resident, while Officer Gregorzek grabbed a life-jacket from his cruiser and ran down the bike path. He jumped into the water and began to swim to the woman in distress. 

The boat motored closer to the woman and Officer Murphy jumped into the water — working together, the two officers pushed the woman into the small motor boat. 

“She was in the water for at least 10 minutes,” Officer Gregorzek said. 

Officer Gregorzek said the water was still very cold. He added that the woman was bleeding from her head.

Police said the woman’s hands were clenched tightly into fists, and at first officers believed she was doing that because she was cold. It was later discovered the woman was holding a large nail inside her clenched fist. Police also said that the woman believed someone was trying to hurt her. 

The 43-year-old woman was treated by EMTs at the scene and later transported to a hospital. Police said it appeared the woman was suffering a mental health emergency. 

The current that runs under the East Bay Bike Path bridges is one of the strongest in the area. In years past, police have had to rescue boaters and kayakers who have encountered problems along that stretch of the river.