First responders save
woman stuck at base
of 100 feet deep riverbank after kayak capsizes in
Willoughby Hills
By Rachel Vadaj | April
21, 2019
WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH
(WOIO) - A man and a woman are safe after their kayaks capsized on the Chagrin
River Saturday. The Willoughby Hills
Fire Chief Robert Gandee said a 47-year-old man and 46-year-old woman entered
the west branch of the Chagrin River on Rogers Road around 4 p.m.
They were headed to
Daniels Park in Willoughby by State Route 84 when their kayaks capsized in the
area of Milann Drive in Willoughby Hills, Chief Gandee said.
The chief said the Lake
County Sheriff’s office received a 911 call from a resident on Milann Drive at
5:43 p.m. saying a kayaker may have overdosed. Three minutes later, the
caller called 911 again saying a there was not an overdose, but a kayaker
needed rescuing, according to the chief.
Chief Gandee said the
man was able to swim and make it back to the east bank of the river and found a
home on Milann Drive to call 911.The woman was stuck at
the base of a steep riverbank over 100 feet against the west bank of the river,
the chief said.
According to the chief,
water and technical rescue resources from the Hillcrest Technical Rescue Team,
Eastlake, Mentor, and Willoughby Fire Departments were called to help. The chief said
additional support apparatus and manpower from Kirtland, Perry,
Mentor-on-the-Lake, Wickliffe and Willowick Fire Departments were also called
to the scene to assist in the rescue operation.
The man and the woman both
had life jackets with them, according to the chief. However, the chief said the
woman fell out of her life jacket when she capsized.The man had a life
jacket inside the kayak, but was not wearing it when it capsized, according to
the chief.
Chief Gandee said both
of them were only wearing regular clothing instead of survival suits to protect
them from the cold water. The chief said the man was evaluated and released. After
the woman was rescued, she was transported to Hillcrest Hospital for evaluation
from prolonged exposure to the cold water.
Chief Gandee released
this public safety announcement after the incident:
With springtime bringing
heavy rains the Willoughby Hills Fire Department would like to remind people
participating in water sports on swollen rivers, streams or tributaries of the
following:
1.Take a course -
Learning about the hazards and educating yourself related to the water sport or
activity are extremely important to keep people out of trouble and to keep
people alive.
2. Wear your lifejacket
– Ensure you have the appropriate size and style lifejacket. Wear it! Expect to
capsize and the need to swim occasionally.
3. Prepare for cold
water – Cold water is extremely dangerous. Make sure you are wearing the proper
attire for the activity you are participating in. Water sports have special
attire to help keep you safe and warm.
