Brookhaven NY – On January 2nd about 9:45 PM. Suffolk County’s 911 center received a call for an overdue paddle boarder possibly in distress in the area of the Carmens River. Suffolk Police 7th precinct officers responded along with Brookhaven Fire Department Assistant Chief Giuseppe Loiacono to the Carmens River Canoe rental at 2979 Montauk Highway to meet the complaint who was the mother of the paddle boarder while chiefs Dan Dipinto and Anthony Verni responded to Beaverdam rd at Squassux Creek where the paddle-boarder initiated the journey.
Additional details were gathered from the complainant who reported that on a phone call the daughter stated she was in the river did not know where she was and according to the mother sounded weak/tired. South Country ambulance was activated as was Brookhaven Fire for a full department response and boat and Bellport Fire Department for a hover craft. The bellport Fd was assigned to Beaverdamn Rd and Brookhaven Fd established a command post at Carmens River Canoe and Kyak rental on Montauk Highway. Suffolk Police requested aviation to come in to assist with the search and marine bureau was notified and worked to respond.
Brookhaven FD Ice and Dive Rescue truck 5-3-11responded into command with a boat to be launched behind the canoe rental place. Rescue unit 5-3-3 also responded to the command post for lighting as per Chief Dan DiPinto who was in charge of the FD operations. After Searching Both Squassux creek and the Carmens River Suffolk police Aviation and Brookhaven FD were able to locate the female paddleboarder. The helicopter guided her to shore at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge and she was able to walk out firefighters from Brookhave and Ambulance Personnel from South Country Ambulance. Though wet and cold the paddleboarder appeared uninjured and refused medical aid and all units were placed back in service just before 11 PM.