Crime & Safety

4 Capsized Canoers Rescued From Long Island Sound: Police

They were rescued north of Wading River Beach Tuesday night after capsizing in 58-degree water, police say.

They were all treated for hypothermia, police said.
They were all treated for hypothermia, police said. (Shutterstock)

WADING RIVER, NY — Four canoers were rescued after capsizing on the Long Island Sound Tuesday night, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police, the incident took place about three quarters of a mile north of Wading River Beach at 7:48 p.m.

Darwin Ortis, 32, of Mastic Beach, Adrian Zelaya, 32, from Central Islip, Walter Noriega, 47, of Mastic Beach, and Gelyn Linairs, 41, of Mastic Beach, were in two canoes on the Long Island Sound when they capsized and went overboard into approximately 58-degree water, police said. Linairs called 911 at 7:23 p.m., police said.

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Aviation section officers found the four in the water and directed Marine Bureau officers Gregory Stroh and Michael Malone aboard Marine Delta to their location, police said. The canoers, three of whom were wearing life preservers, were taken aboard Marine Delta before being transferred to a Sound Beach Fire Department vessel, police said.

All four were transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead for treatment of hypothermia, police said.

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