MAURY COUNTY, TN — A kayaking trip nearly turned tragic on the Duck River this week, but thanks to the swift response of local first responders, one person made it home safely—and a grateful mother is counting her blessings.
Maury County Water Rescue teams sprang into action after receiving reports of a kayaker who had overturned and become stranded in the middle of the river. Though the individual was wearing a life jacket, they were unable to swim and became stuck on a narrow sandbar surrounded by deep, fast-moving water.
Rescue officials say the kayaker was standing in knee-deep water but was growing increasingly cold and beginning to shiver due to the chilly conditions. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, two rescue swimmers entered the river and safely retrieved the individual.
Fortunately, the kayaker was able to walk away from the scene without injury. Authorities credited the person’s properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jacket as the key factor in avoiding a potentially fatal outcome.
As the summer season approaches and more people take to Tennessee’s rivers and lakes, officials are urging all outdoor enthusiasts to wear life jackets and ensure they are appropriately sized and certified for safety.
“This could have ended very differently,” a spokesperson for the rescue team said. “That life jacket made all the difference.”
Photo: Maury County Fire Department
