A 68-year-old Shirley man was rescued Wednesday morning after his kayak swamped and his waders filled with water while he was clamming in the Great South Bay, forcing him underwater, Suffolk County police said.
Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers responded at about 11:07 a.m. Sept. 23 after a 911 caller reported a kayaker in distress about a quarter-mile off Sore Thumb Beach. Police said the man’s kayak had swamped and his waders filled with water, dragging him beneath the surface.
Good Samaritans were able to get the man out of the water and onto a sandbar before officers arrived.
Marine Bureau officers Christopher Maggio, Thomas Ciota, Kyle Profit and Brendan Grogan waded through knee-deep water to reach the man, who police said was semiconscious. Officers secured him to a backboard and carried him to the police vessel Marine Juliet for transport to land.
The man was taken to South Shore University Hospital for treatment. Police did not provide additional information on his condition.
Photo: SCPD
