Bystander rescues 69-year-old man from Commack apartment pool near-drowning

A bystander’s fast action pulled a 69-year-old Huntington Station man from the pool at Avalon Huntington Station after he lost consciousness in the water, turning a summer scare into a race for his life. George Barrett was swimming at the East 5th Street apartment complex when he was found floating in the in-ground pool and rushed into emergency care.

The incident unfolded around 4:30 p.m. at Avalon Huntington Station, and a witness spotted Barrett floating in the water about 4:35 p.m. A bystander entered the pool, pulled Barrett to the side and, with help from two others, lifted him out. CPR was started at the scene and 911 was called, giving Barrett a fighting chance before emergency responders arrived.

Huntington Community First Aid Squad paramedics continued CPR and further treatment after arriving at the complex. As of Saturday morning, Barrett remained at Huntington Hospital. Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives were investigating the incident.

The case is a stark reminder of how quickly a pool emergency can unfold in a controlled-looking setting such as an apartment complex. Suffolk County says drowning happens quickly and quietly, which is why officials urge residents to learn CPR and be prepared to act before paramedics reach the scene. The American Red Cross says survival chances drop by 10% for every minute immediate CPR and AED use are delayed, while the American Heart Association says bystander CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

It also raises questions for apartment and condo communities heading into peak swim season: whether lifesaving equipment is visible and accessible, whether staff and residents know where it is, and whether the pool area is set up so a person in trouble can be seen fast enough to get help. Suffolk County’s pool-safety guidance also notes that New York State law requires approved pool alarms for swimming pools built after Dec. 14, 2006, unless they have an automatic power safety cover.

The emergency came as Suffolk County has stepped up its drowning-prevention messaging. Stony Brook Medicine said the county launched its first-ever drowning prevention action plan on Aug. 28, 2025, after a 60% increase in drowning deaths from 2023 to 2024. The county recorded 24 drowning deaths in 2024, part of 84 statewide fatal drownings in New York.

For residents, the lesson is plain: know where the rescue gear is, know how to call for help, and make sure CPR skills are fresh before anyone goes near the water.