STAATSBURG – Two people clinging to a pool float were rescued from the Hudson River by Roosevelt firefighters. The event unfolded around 8 Sunday night.
Roosevelt Fire Chief Lew Darrow said that his agency responded to the area of Esopus Island, off of the shore of Norrie Point, for a report of a kayaker in distress. When they arrived, they found two individuals holding onto a pool float. The victims were brought aboard the Roosevelt Fire District boat and provided medical treatment as they were transported to Norrie Point Marina. Once at the marina, they were turned over to medics and transported to MidHudson Regional Hospital by ambulance. Their injuries are described as non-life-threatening.
“Rough waters and river conditions made it a challenging rescue, something we have been training on since we put the boat in service. The efficiency and teamwork of the crew greatly affected the outcome of the incident,” said Chief Darrow.
Rescue boats from the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, the City of Kingston Fire Department, and the East Kingston Fire Department were also dispatched on the call. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and Northern Dutchess Paramedics also provided assistance.
Darrow added that “The Roosevelt Fire District would like to remind people that life vests should be worn, river conditions could change at any time and to practice safe boating.”
