| A water rescue boat from the Perrysburg Fire Division moves up the Maumee River after rescue efforts Wednesday, April 9, 2014. (Photos: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune) |
WATERVILLE – Six people had to be fished out of the Maumee River Wednesday after three kayakers capsized
and three firefighters took a boat out to get the kayakers to shore. The firefighters’ boat took on
water, and the rescuers ended up having to be rescued themselves.
The kayakers were in the Waterville area of the Maumee River when they overturned around noon, and got
stranded on the island just upstream from the Route 64 bridge.
According to Waterville Fire Chief Patrick Wambo, three firefighters were taking a boat out to the island
to rescue the kayakers, when the fire boat took on water. The motor stalled out while the boat was
raised, allowing water to swamp the craft, Wambo said.
A boat from Monclova Fire Department was then dispatched to pick up the three firefighters in the river,
and two of the kayakers on the
| An empty kayak is seen on an island in the Maumee River after rescue efforts Wednesday, April 9, 2014. |
island. The third kayaker was picked up by a boat from Perrysburg City Fire Department. All the kayakers
were wearing life jackets, and the firefighters were all wearing eitherlife jackets or water suits,
Wambo said. All six victims were cold, but were cleared on the scene by medical personnel. No one was
transported to a hospital.
The water in the Maumee River is quite high, the chief said, with depth gauges measuring depths up to 18
feet.
Wambo cautioned that anyone boating in the river should be cautious of the rough waters.
