Two kayakers rescued from swollen Carmel River
Two kayakers were pulled from the Carmel River Monday after being caught up in branches and other debris flowing down the swollen river.
Crews from Monterey County Regional Fire and Cal Fire’s swift water rescue team responded after getting a call from a resident who spotted the kyakers.
One of the men rescued says he and his friend were experienced kayakers and prepared for the worst.
“We scouted for hours today before we put in,” Rich Thompson said. “(We) checked a lot of different spots, did some beta. We had a place to get out if we didn’t like it. We’d get out at Garland Park, which is just down a couple of bends.”
Rescuers watched the pair for awhile before stepping in.
“As public safety people, we don’t want to impose ourselves on people if they look like they’re okay. We just got a gut feeling that they could use some help,” said Captain Scott Fenton with Monterey County Regional Fire.
No injuries were reported and both kayakers were in good spirits, saying they accepted the inherent risks of kyaking.
Still, rescuers said today was not an ideal day to enter the water.
“There’s a lot of debris flowing up in those areas and making it’s way down here. The problem that poses for boaters is it creates a lot of areas where you can be sucked under,” said Captain Fenton.
