A Columbus, Ohio, man died on Friday afternoon after he was pulled from the ocean at Abel’s Hill Beach in Chilmark where he had been swimming with his wife.

William Laidlaw Jr., who worked as chief executive officer of the Ohio Historical Society and was a longtime seasonal resident of Abel’s Hill, was pronounced dead at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital at 5:28 p.m. He was 66.

Police, fire and emergency medical services were dispatched at approximately 4 p.m. to the South Abel’s Hill Association beach for a report of two swimmers in trouble.

Mr. Laidlaw was reportedly swimming with his wife Donna when he became distressed. Early reports indicate ocean currents and rough surf were not thought to be a factor, and Mr. Laidlaw may have experienced some kind of health problem while swimming.

When rescue personnel arrived, the two swimmers were out of the water and beach patrons were performing CPR on Mr. Laidlaw, according to a statement from the Chilmark police. Access to the private beach was gained using small boats to cross Chilmark Pond and an all terrain-vehicle.

Mr. Laidlaw was transported halfway off the beach by the all-terrain vehicle, police said, and then brought across the pond in a small boat. He was then transported by Tri-Town ambulance to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, during which efforts to resuscitate him continued.

Lifeguards from Lucy Vincent Beach also responded to the scene and assisted with rescue efforts, police said.

The area where Mr. Laidlaw was swimming is along a remote stretch of barrier beach that separates Chilmark Pond from the ocean and is only accessible by boat or by four-wheel-drive vehicle. There is a dirt road leading to a parking area for the beach; many people leave small kayaks and canoes on the northern edge of the pond and paddle across the approximately 150 to 200 yards of water to reach the outer beach.

A spokesman for the state medical examiner’s office said yesterday the cause of death remains under investigation, which could take up to several months.

Mr. Laidlaw’s son Scott said yesterday that his parents have rented a summer home at Abel’s Hill for 20 years and have many old friends on the Island. He said the entire family, including his family and his sister’s family, were on the Island during the events Friday afternoon. “It’s a silver lining and a blessing that we were all here together when my father died,” he said.

Mr. Laidlaw said his father was swimming with his mother when he became unresponsive and apparently unconscious. Mrs. Laidlaw called out for help, and a group of bystanders rushed in to help them get out of the water.

He said the family wishes to extend special thanks to the many people who helped out, especially to Mark Tobah and Taylor Gould, who went into the water to assist when his father became distressed. “And three Lucy Vincent lifeguards sprinted down the beach — I don’t know their names but I want to thank them,” Mr. Laidlaw added.

He concluded: “So many people have been tremendously kind and helpful and it has really has reinforced our love of the Vineyard.”

In a prepared statement, the Ohio Historical Society offered condolences to the family of Mr. Laidlaw, who is survived by his wife Donna and two children, Scott Laidlaw and Christina Laidlaw Kimmel; as well as three grandchildren.

“It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend and colleague, Bill Laidlaw,” said Richard T. Prasse, chairman of the historical society’s board of trustees. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during their difficult time.”

David Kvam, a seasonal Chilmark resident and Connecticut-based neurosurgeon who arrived on the beach Friday after police, fire and medical personnel had arrived, said the speed and efficiency of the response by rescuers was impressive considering the remote location.

“It was very quick. If you think about the logistics of getting to that location; people have to cross the narrow neck of the pond, go up several dunes, and then get to the spot where [Mr. Laidlaw] was, it was really remarkable,” he said, adding:

“It sort of reminds us all of the dangers of swimming at an isolated beach on the other side of the pond. We may live in the age of cell phones, but that is still a hard area to reach,” he said.

It was the second fatal incident along the south shore of Chilmark in less than a week. On Saturday, August 1, Lawrence Shedd, 49, of South Danbury, N.H. drowned at Quansoo Beach in Chilmark about two miles from where Mr. Laidlaw was swimming on Friday.

The state medical examiner’s office confirmed this week that Mr. Shedd died of drowning; the cause was ruled accidental.

Chilmark police chief Brian Cioffi said yesterday that while the two deaths were unfortunate he could not say they were related in any way. “As we have all known all our lives, swimming at the south shore is dangerous and should always involve extra caution. But were rough seas the cause of these incidents? We cannot say that for sure,” the chief said.