Four people were taken to the hospital as a precaution after their canoe capsized in the chilly waters of the Connecticut River on Thursday afternoon.
James Ritter, captain of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, said the four people fell out of a canoe, which is still missing.
When emergency crews arrived, they found three of the people along the shore on the Glastonbury side of the river and they pulled a female from the water.
The three people who were on shore were brought taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, while the female was brought to another area hospital to be evaluated for potential hypothermia.
“Even though spring is coming, the water is still cold,” Ritter said. “Hypothermia is a very real possibility here, that’s why quick and immediate response in getting the people out of the water and into a warm environment is very important.”
Emergency crews from Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and Glastonbury responded.
This incident happened days after the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection warned residents and boaters that waters remain cold and dangerous despite spring's warmer weather.
U.S. & World
DEEP officials advise boaters to dress for water temperatures in spring months, not the air temperature.
