N.Y. Firefighters Rescue Boaters From Hudson River
Source Times Union, Albany, N.Y.
SELKIRK, N.Y. -- Three boaters narrowly avoided tragedy Saturday night after their pleasure craft rammed a Hudson River channel marker buoy and began sinking off Van Wie's Point.
"It took on water quickly," said Selkirk Fire Department Chief Bill Asprion.
The boaters -- two men and a woman -- were traveling at an estimated 30 to 35 mph when they hit the buoy around 11 p.m., Asprion said. The boaters' names were not available late Sunday, but one of the men reportedly suffered a serious head injury that required treatment.
Asprion said Selkirk firefighters responded after one of the boaters called for help on a cellphone. The fire department keeps a 25-foot Boston Whaler at Henry Hudson Park.
About 25 people, including ambulance crews and river rescuers, responded.
It wasn't known if they had life vests or flotation devices aboard.
If not, the boaters may have been in real peril had the vessel gone down because the river tide was going out at the time of the crash. Additionally, at this time of year the Hudson is full of debris due to dam openings to the north.
"If you had three people in the water, that water is cold," said Asprion. "It could have been a lot worse."
Asprion added that one of the boaters initially thought they had hit a log. Channel markers typically are equipped with lights.
Copyright 2012 - Times Union, Albany, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
