Two people were sent to the hospital and 19 people were reportedly rescued from the water after a rowing team’s boat capsized in Westport, Conn., Wednesday night.
29 rowers (2 adults and 27 high school students) were involved in the incident while rowing from the Saugatuck Boat Club to Cockhorn Island. WFSB report.
“This brings the total number of rowers and coaches involved in this incident to 29,” Westport police said in a statement. “There were 19 people in the water, but it was determined that 10 (nine rowers and one coach) were able to remain on board.”
911 call released: 29 people rescued after high school rowing team capsizes in Westport https://t.co/BCOcpkgVUi
— WICH Radio (@WICH1310) March 21, 2024
West Point police said in an update Thursday morning that one of the Skrulls on the capsized boat remained missing, and the other two were taken to Compo Marina on Wednesday night, the newspaper reported. The paddlers’ pursuit boat was found sunk near Kokkeong Island, WFSB reported.
Two rowers were taken to Norwalk Hospital and released after being treated for cold exposure, the paper said. According to WFSB, the air temperature at the time of the incident was approximately 40 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature was approximately 44 degrees Celsius. (Related: Video showing hot air balloon crashing and catching fire)
One of the teens splashed around in the water and called police, Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan said, according to the newspaper. Police, Westport Fire and Westport EMS learned of the situation around 5:04 p.m., and while some paddlers had made it to shore by the time authorities arrived, others were still struggling in the water. WFSB reported.
“This is proof that this young man can reach for a phone in such a situation and actually make a meaningful call,” Marsan said, according to the newspaper.
WFSB noted that police explained the cause of the incident in a statement.
“Initial investigation at this time indicates that three rowing sculls and one chase boat departed from the Saugatuck Rowing Club. There were nine rowers on board, and the pursuit boat was operated by a coach,” Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said. “As the boats reached the Kokenaw Island area, the weather began to change and the rowers attempted to return to the boat club. The rowing sculls began swallowing water, capsizing two of them and leaving 18 people underwater. was thrown out.”
“These individuals swam to the pursuit boat and began clinging to the side of the boat, causing it to sink as well,” Koskinas’ statement continued. “Another pursuit boat from the boat club arrived on the scene and began transporting people to Compo Beach Marina.”
