Person rescued after kayak overturns in TN river

COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WSMV) - A person was rescued after their kayak overturned in the Duck River Saturday, according to the Maury County Fire Department.

MCFD rescue crews were dispatched to the Duck River near the Highway 7 Bridge just before 1:30 p.m. Saturday for a water rescue.

On scene, rescue teams found the victim stranded in the middle of the river on a sand bar in knee deep water. MCFD said the water around the sand bar was swift and deep.

MCFD said the victim had been kayaking when their boat overturned. The kayaker was wearing a lifejacket but could not swim, stranding them on the sand bar.

Two swimmers were sent into the water to retrieve the victim, who had begun to shake from the low water temperature. The kayaker was successfully rescued and able to walk away from the incident unharmed, MCFD said.

“A proper life jacket worn by the kayaker was the difference maker in this incident having a very different outcome,” MCFD said. ”As summer nears, make sure to wear appropriately sized, Coast Guard-approved life jackets on the water,” MCFD said.