Stranded Fisherman Rescued At Penfield Lighthouse: UPDATE

FAIRFIELD, CT — Emergency crews rescued a fisherman Thursday morning who became stranded at Penfield Lighthouse overnight. Another man, who had been fishing with the victim, was reported missing but was also located on Thursday morning, according to officials.

At about 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 28, the Fairfield Fire Department received a call reporting a person in distress at Penfield Lighthouse. Fairfield Fire Marine units immediately responded and began searching the location. (To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Marine 228 was the first arriving unit and made contact with the victim at Penfield Light who reported he had been fishing on Reef. The victim told firefighters that he was fishing with another man, who was unaccounted for at the time, and they walked onto the Reef from shore at about 7 p.m. the previous night, but became disoriented when a fog rolled in around 11 p.m.

The two separated while attempting to flee the Reef, with the rescued victim resorting to swimming to Penfield Lighthouse when the Reef was overtaken by the tide, officials said.

The rescued victim could not identify the location of the second victim. He was transported to shore by fire personnel and evaluated by medical personnel with no reported injury.

Fairfield Fire Marine units began a search of the last known location of the missing fisherman under the direction of the US Coast Guard. Officials said investigation revealed the missing person had also been forced off the Reef, but managed to swim to shore. Officials were able to make contact with the man, who said he was not injured in the event and took a cab to his home in Brewster, N.Y.

“The individuals involved in this case were extremely fortunate to escape harm,” Assistant Fire Chief Roger Caisse, the incident commander, said in a press release. “Fishing off Penfield Reef, especially in darkness and fog, can be exceptionally hazardous as environmental conditions often change rapidly. Personal protective equipment such as flotation, signaling devices, and notifying others of your fishing plan can make the difference in survival when conditions turn bad."

No firefighter injuries were reported from the scene.

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Photo via the Fairfield Fire Department