3 Kayakers Rescued 'Clinging To Pilings' At Captree State Park

BAY SHORE, NY — A Farmingville man whose kayak overturned and two family members who tried to help him were brought to safety after all three were stranded on pilings Monday afternoon at Captree State Park in Bay Shore.

Suffolk County police responded to the park after a 911 call reported kayakers in distress in the water at about 3:10 p.m. Police said Brian Consey, 55, was kayaking when his vessel capsized near a dock, and two family members, Steven and Debra Leonardo, tried to help him, but their kayak also overturned.

All three were found "clinging to the pilings under the dock" when officers from the marine bureau and state park police officers, as well as the United States Coast Guard, arrived, police said.

Officer Chris Maggio went into the water to help Debra Leonardo safely through the strong current and out from under the dock, police said, adding that "the pair swam with the current until they were able to safely pull themselves" onto Marine Juliette at about 3:30 p.m.

Coast Guard and park police officers rescued Steven Leonardo from the piling, police said, adding that Consey, with the help of officers and good Samaritans on the dock, was able to climb to safety.

Consey, as well as Steven Leonardo, 61, and Debra Leonardo, 57, both of North Babylon, were evaluated on scene by Islip Rescue and "declined further medical treatment," police said.