Kayak rescue in Great South Bay

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers rescued a man in the Great South Bay on Wednesday, Sept. 23 after his kayak swamped and waders filled with water, dragging him underwater.

Marine Bureau officers Christopher Maggio, Thomas Ciota, Kyle Profit and Brendan Grogan responded after a 911 caller reported a kayaker in distress in the Great South Bay, about a quarter-mile off Sore Thumb Beach, at 11:07 a.m. The man’s kayak swamped and his waders filled with water, forcing him underwater.

When officers arrived, they waded through knee deep water to reach the man, who had been removed from the water by good Samaritans and was on a sandbar. Officers secured the man, who was semiconscious, to a backboard and carried him to Marine Juliet to be transported to land.

The man, 68, of Shirley, who was in his kayak clamming, was transported to South Shore University Hospital for treatment.