NEW HOPE, NJ

Recue Hovercraft Damaged

The New Hope Eagle Fire Co.'s rescue hovercraft needed to be rescued itself this week.

The New Hope Eagle Fire Co.'s rescue hovercraft needed to be rescued itself this week.

It either "hit something" or had a "mechanical problem" after a rescue attempt Tuesday evening, New Hope Fire Chief Tom Markey said.

New Hope and Lambertville emergency teams were sent to pull a kayaker from the Delaware River at 7:21 p.m., but the kayaker eventually made it to safety on his own. The hovercraft was returning from the incident when an undetermined problem caused it to stall about 8 p.m.

A Lambertville team pulled the hovercraft out of the water near Titusville, N.J. The two New Hope firemen operating the vehicle did not suffer serious injuries but were sent to Doylestown Hospital for observation. Markey said the department would conduct an internal investigation.