Kayakers rescued by emergency helicopters after capsizing

[Pfishingruven]

By CHARLES WEBSTER • STAFF WRITER • March 22, 2010

BASS RIVER — A Voorhees couple kayaking along the Wading River capsized Sunday evening, forcing a 2 1/2 hour search and rescue effort by U.S. Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police helicopters.

After Stanley Levin, 62, and Amy Goldman, 56, capsized, the kayak was swept downstream, and Goldman swam ashore and called 911, police said.

She was picked up in the woods by a State Police helicopter from Tuckerton and transported by the Great Bay Regional First Aid squad to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona.

By 8 p.m., a Coast Guard helicopter from the Air Station Atlantic City was dispatched to join in the efforts to locate Levin, who had been walking to find safety after swimming ashore.

The rescue helicopter arrived on scene to find Levin in the woods downstream. He was taken to the Coast Guard's Atlantic City air station then transferred to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center to be treated for hypothermia.

"He was in a severely hypothermic state and was in need of immediate evacuation," said Lt. Paul Laroche, a pilot at Air Station Atlantic City.

APP Article

Very lucky!  There was just some discussion about water safety in the Yak Forum.  Good job by the Coast Guard !

[ped579]

It was a good chat by the way.  I wonder what they were wearing as protective clothing?

Thank God they are okay, and yes good job by the CG and all involved.

[Fishin Dude]

Always good to hear everyone survived, and that there is always some brave folks ready to jump into action to help those in peril.    <'((((><

[Maritime Matt]

Glad to hear the outcome was good on this tradgedy that could have been. Its ONE good reason to carry a handheld, floating, VHF w/GPS on board, especially a kayak, canoe and small boat along with a flare kit. I understand they only had a cell phone. The information is out there to prevent these kind of things from taking place.

[ped579]

Good advice Matt.  I carry a floating vhf marine hand held all the time I am out there.  Especially being that close to the Barnagate Coast Guard Station a 5 watt unit is perfect.  Flares are also on board in a watertight container.

For the price of a small hand held radio I think I spent $150.00 for it last year, that peace of mind is invaluable.