Trooper Rescues Man After Kayak Overturns On Monmouth County Lake

UPPER FREEHOLD, NJ — A kayaker who fell overboard at Assunpink Lake and got caught in underwater debris was rescued by a state trooper who swam into the lake to help him, New Jersey State Police said Monday.

Troopers were called to the lake at 4:06 p.m. Sunday for a report of an overturned kayak and found the man clinging to the capsized kayak about 150 yards from shore, state police said in a social media post.

The kayaker, who had been fishing on the lake, told Trooper Kevin Allen that he was weak and could not hold onto the kayak much longer, and was not able to swim. So Allen stowed his uniform in his car and then swam out to the kayaker to help him.

The man was conscious and alert when Allen reached him, but his legs were stuck in debris under the kayak, state police said. Allen kept the man afloat until an Allentown Fire Department rescue boat arrived.

Allen and fire and rescue personnel then freed the man’s legs and helped him board the Allentown rescue vessel. The man, who did not complain of any injuries, told authorities he'd been stranded for about an hour. Robert Wood Johnson EMS evaluated the kayaker at the lake and then took him to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township for additional treatment.

"The quick and decisive actions of Trooper Allen and Allentown Fire and Rescue personnel undoubtedly prevented a tragedy," state police said.

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