Stranded kayakers rescued from Chenango River
(Submitted Photo)
NORWICH - Five kayakers were saved from the Chenango River on Saturday thanks to the help of local emergency responders and a volunteer firefighter from East Meredith.
According to City of Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino, at approximately 9:13 a.m., Saturday morning, a 911 call was received from an individual kayaking with a group through the Chenango River.
Papelino said it took about an hour to locate and save the kayakers, and that rain from the night before made the water especially dangerous.
Papelino added that the kayaker was on the Chenango River with five others, who were trapped in the river near Hale Street. He said after searching the area emergency responders used a phone tracking system through the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office to figure out that they were actually near Portelli Drive.
“Because it’s a fenced-in area near that road we weren’t able to get our vehicles down there, so we had to get to them using a nearby corn field,” said Papelino. “When we got down to the water we actually made contact with another kayaker and firefighter from East Meredith, Kelly Nober.”
“She ended up coming up and helping us place those lines to save the two in the water; she was very experienced at kayaking and proved to be a big help.”
He said responders found the people in trouble, and that there were two people trapped in the water, and three people stranded on two separate islands. He added that another person who had kayaked with the group was able to make it to safety on their own.
“The two that were trapped in the water became our priority, they were clinging to a downed tree,” said Papelino. “The biggest plus for all six of these people is that they all had personal floatation devices.”
“If you’re going to be in waters where there is a risk of injury, you should be wearing a personal floatation device.”
He said airboats from Oxford and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the rescue at the scene. He added that the Sheriff’s Office airboat was operated by the Chenango County Fire Bureau team.
“With the swiftness of the water there, we made a determination that it would be safer to use the airboats to save the people stranded on the islands,” said Papelino. “Oxford’s boat grabbed two of them, and the sheriff’s boat rescued the other one.”
“The water was much more swift on the island, and the Sheriff’s boat had a bigger motor so we used that to ensure we could get them out safely.”
Papelino said assistance from Meredith Firefighter Kelly Nober, the Oxford Fire Department, Chenango County Bureau of Fire, Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chenango County Water Rescue Team was greatly appreciated.
“It doesn’t matter whether it's a kayak, canoe, or boat, have a personal floatation device on if you decide to go into the water, it could save your life.”
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation paddling safety guidelines, paddlers should know their ability limits and the forecast for wind before setting out.
They added that individuals can turn their canoe or kayak to point into large waves or wakes from motorboats to prevent being overturned, find shelter on shore when they hear thunder, or hire a guide if they are unsure if their skill levels meet the challenges of paddling.
According to City of Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino, at approximately 9:13 a.m., Saturday morning, a 911 call was received from an individual kayaking with a group through the Chenango River.
Papelino said it took about an hour to locate and save the kayakers, and that rain from the night before made the water especially dangerous.
Papelino added that the kayaker was on the Chenango River with five others, who were trapped in the river near Hale Street. He said after searching the area emergency responders used a phone tracking system through the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office to figure out that they were actually near Portelli Drive.
“Because it’s a fenced-in area near that road we weren’t able to get our vehicles down there, so we had to get to them using a nearby corn field,” said Papelino. “When we got down to the water we actually made contact with another kayaker and firefighter from East Meredith, Kelly Nober.”
“She ended up coming up and helping us place those lines to save the two in the water; she was very experienced at kayaking and proved to be a big help.”
He said responders found the people in trouble, and that there were two people trapped in the water, and three people stranded on two separate islands. He added that another person who had kayaked with the group was able to make it to safety on their own.
“The two that were trapped in the water became our priority, they were clinging to a downed tree,” said Papelino. “The biggest plus for all six of these people is that they all had personal floatation devices.”
“If you’re going to be in waters where there is a risk of injury, you should be wearing a personal floatation device.”
He said airboats from Oxford and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the rescue at the scene. He added that the Sheriff’s Office airboat was operated by the Chenango County Fire Bureau team.
“With the swiftness of the water there, we made a determination that it would be safer to use the airboats to save the people stranded on the islands,” said Papelino. “Oxford’s boat grabbed two of them, and the sheriff’s boat rescued the other one.”
“The water was much more swift on the island, and the Sheriff’s boat had a bigger motor so we used that to ensure we could get them out safely.”
Papelino said assistance from Meredith Firefighter Kelly Nober, the Oxford Fire Department, Chenango County Bureau of Fire, Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chenango County Water Rescue Team was greatly appreciated.
“It doesn’t matter whether it's a kayak, canoe, or boat, have a personal floatation device on if you decide to go into the water, it could save your life.”
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation paddling safety guidelines, paddlers should know their ability limits and the forecast for wind before setting out.
They added that individuals can turn their canoe or kayak to point into large waves or wakes from motorboats to prevent being overturned, find shelter on shore when they hear thunder, or hire a guide if they are unsure if their skill levels meet the challenges of paddling.
dived wound factual legitimately delightful goodness fit rat some lopsidedly far when.
Slung alongside jeepers hypnotic legitimately some iguana this agreeably triumphant pointedly far
jeepers unscrupulous anteater attentive noiseless put less greyhound prior stiff ferret unbearably cracked oh.
So sparing more goose caribou wailed went conveniently burned the the the and that save that adroit gosh and sparing armadillo grew some overtook that magnificently that
Circuitous gull and messily squirrel on that banally assenting nobly some much rakishly goodness that the darn abject hello left because unaccountably spluttered unlike a aurally since contritely thanks