Crime & Safety
Video: Teen Kayaker Rescued Offshore Of Tarpon Springs
U.S. Coast Guard crews were deployed to find the missing girl when she became separated from her family during a Sunday kayaking trip.
TARPON SPRINGS, FL — A four-hour search for a missing kayaker in waters off Tarpon Springs paid off with a rescue late Sunday night.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, an air and surface search mission was launched for the missing 17-year-old around 6 p.m. Sunday when her family reported her missing.
“She became separated from her family during a kayaking trip and did not return to their departing location,” the guard explained in a media release. “The missing girl stated her kayak was waked by a boat causing her to lose her paddle; she then drifted for several hours into evening until a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew spotted her at 10:06 p.m.”
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The helicopter crew stayed with the girl until a 29-foot response boat crew could arrive on the scene. The girl was taken aboard in stable condition, but was showing signs of mild hypothermia, the guard reported. The teen was reunited with family and checked out by EMS. No further details are being released at this time.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard
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