Community Corner

2 Kayakers Rescued From River By Smithtown Fire Department

The kayakers were trapped in the low tide along the Nissequogue River. See more photos of the rescue inside the story.

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Two kayakers were rescued from Nissequogue River in Smithtown on Monday morning by the Smithtown Fire Department and others, according to Rick Torre, public information officer.
Two kayakers were rescued from Nissequogue River in Smithtown on Monday morning by the Smithtown Fire Department and others, according to Rick Torre, public information officer. (Rick Torre, Smithtown Fire Department P.I.O.)

SMITHTOWN, NY — Two kayakers were rescued from the Nissequogue River by Smithtown volunteers on Monday morning. The Smithtown Fire Department was alerted at 9:50 a.m. the boaters became trapped in the low tide along the river behind a Riverview Terrace property, Rick Torre, public information officer, told Patch.

When Assistant Chief Timothy Duckham arrived with Ambulance 61 personnel, they saw the kayakers and went to the shore line. The crews of Rescue 9 and Special Rescue 19, led by Captain Matthew Creamer, deployed water rescue equipment to the staging area and set up a rope system to pull the kayakers ashore through the thick muck. Firefighter Joseph Larocca tied off a rope line to pull the first kayaker to dry ground.

Meanwhile, Lt. Timothy Melhus and Larocca reached the second kayaker, who was further offshore, by attaching a separate rope line.

Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Both kayakers were rescued within the hour and were injury-free, according to Torre. They were released by medical personnel.

The Smithtown Bay Constable, Suffolk Police Marine Bureau and Smithtown Public Safety all responded to help with the rescue. All units operated under the command of Chief of Department Kevin J. Fitzpatrick until 11:20 a.m.

Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Photos

Two kayakers were rescued from Nissequogue River in Smithtown on Monday morning by the Smithtown Fire Department and others, according to Rick Torre, public information officer. (Credit: Rick Torre, Smithtown Fire Department P.I.O.)
Two kayakers were rescued from Nissequogue River in Smithtown on Monday morning by the Smithtown Fire Department and others, according to Rick Torre, public information officer. (Credit: Rick Torre, Smithtown Fire Department P.I.O.)
Two kayakers were rescued from Nissequogue River in Smithtown on Monday morning by the Smithtown Fire Department and others, according to Rick Torre, public information officer. (Credit: Rick Torre, Smithtown Fire Department P.I.O.)

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