Kayakers rescued after ships overturned in Long Island Sound
A file photo of a police vehicle in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut MediaFAIRFIELD — Police rescued two kayakers stranded in Long Island Sound on Tuesday afternoon after their kayaks overturned and were swept away by a current, the Fairfield Police Department said.
One of the kayakers called 911 for help around 12:40 p.m. Tuesday. The caller said he and his friend’s kayaks were overturned and swept away by a current, police said. At the time of the call, kayakers were hanging on to a channel marker just outside the South Benson Marina, police said. Both were wearing drysuits and life jackets at the time, according to Fairfield Police Sgt. Michael Stahl.
Although the kayakers said they weren’t in distress, they said they needed help getting back to shore, Stahl said.
The Fairfield Police Marine Unit found the kayakers and took them aboard a police vessel. Emergency medical personnel then assessed the kayakers, police said.
A kayaker was treated and taken to hospital for exposure after water punctured his drysuit. The second kayaker refused to receive medical treatment, police said.
The Fairfield Fire Department helped recover the lost kayaks, Stahl said.
At the time of the incident, the National Weather Service had a small craft advisory in effect for Long Island Sound west of Port Jefferson and New Haven. The advisory, which warns of unsafe conditions for small vessels, lasts until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Police remind those going out in the water to check marine forecasts and take note of advisories before venturing out.