Hillsborough Deputies Rescue 2 Teen Stranded Kayakers

WESTCHASE, FL -- With quick thinking and ingenuity, it took only minutes for four Hillsborough County deputies to rescue two teenage boys stranded in their kayak.

Just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, an emergency call came in saying two 16-year-old boys had flipped their kayak over in the water under a bridge at the Bay Bayou RV Resort in Upper Tampa Bay. The teens, Nathan Poinsette and Joe Munoz, were unable to get to shore due to the strong current. But both wearing life jackets and did manage to right the kayak and get back into it to await help.

Four deputies -- Cpl. Orlys Oquendo, Deputy Daniel Henry, Deputy Andrew Howard and Deputy Chris Dirmitt -- arrived in less than five minutes. They tied two ropes together and then threw it out to the teens who grasped onto it as the deputies pulled them to shore.

From left are Deputy Andrew Howard, Joe Munoz, Nathan Poinsett and Deputy Daniel Henry.

Image via Hillsborough Sheriff

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