A Family's Narrow Escape from Inferno Ends in Tragedy as Matriarch Succumbs to Injuries
In a harrowing tale of survival and tragedy, a family of three was rescued from a remote Massachusetts island after their powerboat caught fire while anchored in a cove. However, the ordeal took a devastating turn when the family's 73-year-old matriarch, Cynthia Sullivan, died just one day after her rescue.
The Sullivans were on a fishing trip off Martha's Vineyard last Friday when the fire broke out while they slept aboard their boat, The Third Wave. In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, Cynthia's husband, Patrick, 72, and their son, Tyler, 37, swam to safety along with their dog after it alerted them to the blaze.
The trio took shelter in a barn on the island, where they spent over 24 hours until their marine radio was washed ashore on Wednesday morning. The radio enabled Tyler to call for help, which led to the U.S. Coast Guard's rescue mission.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, Chris Sullivan memorialized his mother and provided updates on his father and brother. He praised his brother as a hero, saying he saved both of them from the burning boat under chaotic circumstances.
The rescue operation was credited to "quick thinking" and having quality equipment, according to Scott Backholm, a search and rescue mission coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. However, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of first aid training and proper safety equipment for mariners.
The Sullivans had planned to return home on Tuesday afternoon but were stranded on the island due to their boat's catastrophic failure.
In a harrowing tale of survival and tragedy, a family of three was rescued from a remote Massachusetts island after their powerboat caught fire while anchored in a cove. However, the ordeal took a devastating turn when the family's 73-year-old matriarch, Cynthia Sullivan, died just one day after her rescue.
The Sullivans were on a fishing trip off Martha's Vineyard last Friday when the fire broke out while they slept aboard their boat, The Third Wave. In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, Cynthia's husband, Patrick, 72, and their son, Tyler, 37, swam to safety along with their dog after it alerted them to the blaze.
The trio took shelter in a barn on the island, where they spent over 24 hours until their marine radio was washed ashore on Wednesday morning. The radio enabled Tyler to call for help, which led to the U.S. Coast Guard's rescue mission.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, Chris Sullivan memorialized his mother and provided updates on his father and brother. He praised his brother as a hero, saying he saved both of them from the burning boat under chaotic circumstances.
The rescue operation was credited to "quick thinking" and having quality equipment, according to Scott Backholm, a search and rescue mission coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. However, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of first aid training and proper safety equipment for mariners.
The Sullivans had planned to return home on Tuesday afternoon but were stranded on the island due to their boat's catastrophic failure.
This is just heartbreaking - one day they're rescued, and the next the matriarch is gone... it's like, what a cruel twist 
. I mean, I'm glad everyone else made it out alive, but the fact that she didn't get to enjoy even a little bit of freedom after being rescued is just awful 
. And yeah, first aid training and proper safety equipment would've really helped avoid this whole tragedy... you know? 
Can you imagine being stuck on that island with no way to call for help? The fact that the Sullivans had to spend over 24 hours in some barn without proper food or water is just insane. And then they have the nerve to survive, but the matriarch dies just one day after her rescue? It's like the universe was just messing with them... 
. I mean, I get it, accidents happen, but seriously, can't we just have some good luck for once? The fact that Tyler's dad was able to save them all from the burning boat is definitely a miracle, but at what cost? 
my heart goes out to Chris and his dad and brother too, dealing with such trauma and grief 
at least Tyler is safe and being hailed as a hero for saving all of them... it's crazy how things can change in an instant 
Oh man, this is so sad 
. But at the same time, that dog really saved their lives 
! It's amazing what that little guy did to alert them to the danger. And poor Cynthia... I can only imagine how much pain she must've been in those last days 
.
it's so sad that all their hard work to plan that fishing trip ended in tragedy... maybe they should've taken a life jacket course or something? 
. it's not like they were being reckless or anything, just got caught with bad equipment and some bad luck.
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. My heart goes out to Chris, Patrick, and Tyler - they're lucky to have made it out alive 
. You have to wonder what could've been done differently... was there something they didn't know or hadn't prepared for? Safety equipment is crucial, but so is that first aid training - it's not just about having the right gear, it's about knowing how to use it 
.
. Anyway, I hope Tyler and his dad can find some peace and healing - they definitely earned it 
.
she was 73, right? and still managed to save herself and her family from going up in flames. That's some serious mom skills. But come on, 24 hours stuck in a barn with no phone, no food... that's some wild stuff. And what's with the boat just catching fire out of nowhere? Was it even maintained properly? Anyway, I guess you could say she went out with a bang... literally. 
... all that bravery & training meant nothing in the end 
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. You'd think that by now they'd be better equipped with safety gear and emergency procedures... but I guess that's just not the case anymore 
.