Stranded Kayaker Rescued At Town Of Smithtown Beach

ST. JAMES, NY — A man fell off his kayak and was stranded Monday, prompting Smithtown Public Safety officials to come to his rescue.

Nissequogue Village Police received calls to head to a boater in distress near Long Beach Town Park around 8 a.m., according to the Town of Smithtown. The call for service was broadcast to the Smithtown Department of Public Safety units to respond.

Timothy Dewitt of Barrington, New Hampshire, was duck hunting when he fell from his kayak attempting to retrieve the waterfowl. Winds at 25 mph combined with a strong tide, causing Dewitt to become separated from his kayak. The water depth prevented him from retrieving his vessel, stranding the hunter on a sandbar.

Bay Constable David Rosenberg, Park Rangers Patrick Buckley and Joseph Augugliaro, and Nissequogue Village police officer Matthew Cameron responded to the location where they found Dewitt in the marsh, south of the Long Beach Parking Lot. The officers boarded the Public Safety Marine Vessel to recover and help the boater onto the bay constable’s ship. Despite being cold and wet, Dewitt was in good condition and declined medical attention. He was returned to land without further trouble.