Norwich — Norwich police Sunday rescued a man in distress who was struggling to get out of the Shetucket River in the area of the Eighth Street bridge.

Police said at about 7:30 p.m. they received a phone call from 43-year-old Darrell Wommack who relayed to them that he was in the river. Police said they did not know how Wommack, of no certain address, ended up in the river.

Police were dispatched to the area and found Wommack floating down the river in obvious distress. Wommack was also having a hard time breathing.

Officers set up below Wommack’s location to intercept him as the current continued to carry him downstream.

As Wommack approached the officers’ location, Officer Dennis Bialowas entered the water and dragged him to safety.

Wommack was taken to the William W. Backus Hospital for an evaluation.