2nd Inflatable Kayak Rescue In Hackensack River This Summer

SECAUCUS, NJ — For the second time in less than a month, Secaucus firefighters had to rescue a person using an inflatable kayak on the Hackensack River.

This most recent rescue happened at about 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, June 14 in the marshes off Secaucus: A woman in an inflatable kayak called 911 for help while exploring one of the creeks in the marshes, according to Secaucus Fire Chief Carl Leppin.

This was a different woman than the mother with two children who had to be similarly rescued while using an inflatable kayak on the Hackensack over Memorial Day weekend; Patch covered that incident, as well. Secaucus: Mother, Kids Rescued While Kayaking In Hackensack River (May 26) In that incident, a mother and her two children, ages 13 and 11, had to be rescued while kayaking at sunset, again in an inflatable kayak.

Leppin said he was positive it was not the same woman.

Leppin said a Rutherford fire boat got to the woman first, and when she was brought back to the Laurel Hill dock Sunday afternoon, she and the inflatable boat were on top of the fire boat. She did not require medical treatment.

"When I saw the kayak, it did not look totally inflated," said Leppin. "The river's being used more for recreation, which is good thing. It's great. But the river is very dangerous. There are very strong currents and a very strong undertow. There is always debris. And obviously when you have an inflatable boat, it makes it that much more dangerous. Any puncture and the boat can sink."

East Rutherford, Secaucus, Carlstadt and Rutherford fire boats all responded. Leppin did not know which town the woman resided in.

A witness took this video of the fire boats returning to Laurel Hill Sunday. Video from the scene taken by Secaucus yoga/meditation instructor Jade Alexis: https://linktr.ee/JadeAlexis:

Secaucus: Mother, Kids Rescued While Kayaking In Hackensack River (May 26, 2020)