Injured Kayaker Found, Rescued With Drone: South Kingstown Fire Dep.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — South Kingstown fire and police officials rescued an injured boater Sunday, who was kayaking on a river in West Kingston.

Around 7:45 p.m., the Union Fire District received a call about an injured kayaker on the Chipuxet River, Fire Chief Steven Pinch said.

Fire officials brought boats and attempted to make their way to the injured woman, while South Kingstown police and Rhode Island Environmental police used a drone to locate the victim, who was in a deep and isolated part of the river.

Two firefighters then made their way to the victim on kayaks and helped guide her to a place she could be removed from the river, fire officials said. The woman was evaluated on scene by paramedics.

"This is not a typical type of response for our volunteers, but it shows the level of training they receive and the high-level rescue services our members provide the community even in very challenging conditions," Pinch said in a statement. "We are very thankful that the individual in this case was able to be safely rescued, and we are grateful to our fellow first responders for their assistance in locating and rescuing this person from the river."