Glasco man resuced when kayak overturns
SAUGERTIES, N.Y.» A town man whose kayak capsized in the Hudson River near Glasco escaped serious injury but had to use his kayak to keep himself afloat until rescuers arrived, Saugerties Police said.
According to a press release, Tyler Brinkhuis, 20, of Glasco, went kayaking from Glasco Mini Park at Hudson Street at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and was supposed to have returned by 6:30 p.m. When he didn’t come back, authorities received a 911 call around 7 p.m., and officers, along with firefighters from the Glasco Fire Department and Ulster Hose Company No. 5’s marine units, responded.
After a 30-minute search, Glasco firefighters found him in the water. Brinkhuis explained the river had suddenly became rough, causing his kayak to capsize, and that he’d been in the water for an hour, authorities said.
Police said Brinkhuis had a safety vest in the kayak, but was not wearing it, and it floated away when the kayak capsized.
Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra said on Sunday the incident serves a reminder that anyone who goes out on a boat or kayak should always wear a safety vest.
“You should always wear it, because you never known when an incident is going to happen,” Sinagra said. “It’s better to be prepared. Luckily, he was able to hold onto the kayak for at least an hour before rescue workers showed up.”
Police said Brinkhuis was brought back to shore and was evaluated and released by a Diaz Ambulance crew.