DERBY — Drones, boats, dogs, thermal imaging cameras and a large number of emergency responders scoured the Houstonic River Monday after an overturned kayak was spotted in the river.
Turned out the kayaker had fallen out, swam to shore and drove himself home, according to reporting by Hearst CT. Click here to read the story.
Derby firefighters, police and EMS were sent to the lower Housatonic River near O’Sullivan’s Island at about 3 p.m. to investigate whether a person was missing from the overturned kayak.
Oars and personal belongings were found nearby, and an eyewitness told authorities that the kayak had been occupied earlier in the day.
In addition, an unoccupied vehicle was also near the scene, and calls to the phone numbers connected to the vehicle went unanswered.
The circumstances triggered a large search of the water and shoreline while temperatures hovered around 32 degrees. Stratford and Shelton firefighters were also involved.
Crews were on scene for at least three hours.
The kayak’s owner reached out to authorities, according to WTNH.