DELAWARE CITY – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers rescued a 61-year-old Newark man on Oct. 7, after he was swept into a large culvert pipe under Port Penn Road while crabbing from a kayak near Delaware City.

A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer on routine patrol was alerted that someone was struggling in the pipe running under the roadway. The kayak had overturned in a strong outgoing tide as the kayaker was paddling near the pipe while trying to recover a crab trap.

The officer climbed down to the kayaker, who had been holding onto the culvert structure after having been in the water for several minutes. The officer held onto the kayaker’s arm and belt until another DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer arrived on scene and lowered a rescue rope. The two officers, with help from members of the public, lifted the man from the pipe to safety.

The kayaker, who was wearing a life jacket, was treated on scene for exhaustion and minor hypothermia.

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Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 276

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