Union Fire District of South Kingstown Members Rescue Injured Kayaker from River

Union Fire District responded to a report of an injured kayaker on the Chipuxet River Sunday. (Photo Courtesy Union Fire District of South Kingstown)

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Chief Steven Pinch reports that the Union Fire District assisted in rescuing an injured boater yesterday evening.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday, the Union Fire District, along with the Kingston Fire District, were dispatched to the Chipuxet River in West Kingston for a reported of an injured kayaker. Members from Stations 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 responded with boats and attempted to make their way to where the injured person was located.

South Kingstown Police and the Rhode Island Environmental Police used a drone to locate the person, who was deep in an isolated part of the river.

Two UFD members used kayaks to locate the victim and help to guide them back to a place where she could be removed from the river. She was evaluated at the scene by South Kingstown Emergency Medical Services.

“This is not a typical type of response for our volunteers, but it shows the level of training they receive and the high-level rescue services our members provide the community even in very challenging conditions,” Chief Pinch said. “We are very thankful that the individual in this case was able to be safely rescued, and we are grateful to our fellow first responders for their assistance in locating and rescuing this person from the river.”