Dozens of high school students, 2 adults from Connecticut rowing club rescued after boats capsize
WESTPORT, Conn. -- Nearly 30 members of a Connecticut rowing club, including more than two dozen high schoolers, were rescued from the Long Island Sound on Wednesday after their boats capsized.
Police said just before 5 p.m., three rowing sculls and one chase boat launched from Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport. Each rowing scull carried nine rowers, all males between the ages of 14-18. The chase boat was operated by one coach.
Rowing club releases statement
The Saugatuck Rowing Club released a statement about the rescue, thanking emergency responders.
"First and foremost, we are grateful that all 29 individuals involved in the incident are safe and accounted for. Two students had hypothermia and were taken to Norwalk Hospital, and they have recovered. Our rower's well-being remains our utmost priority, and we commend the swift and effective response of the authorities involved in ensuring their rescue.
As with any outdoor sport, rowing inherently involves certain risks, and our club takes comprehensive measures to prioritize safety. However, despite thorough planning and adherence to safety protocols, unexpected weather changes can occur, as was the case in this instance.
We are currently conducting a review of the incident to understand the circumstances fully and to identify any areas where our safety procedures can be further strengthened.
In the meantime, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all emergency responders involved: Marine Police, Firefighters, EMTs and The Coast Guard, for their professionalism and dedication in ensuring the safety of our young rowers and coaches.
Saugatuck Rowing Club remains dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all members, and we appreciate the continued support of our community during this time."
What led to the rowing accident?
According to police, as the boats reached Cockenoe Island, the weather began to change and they tried to head back to the club, but two of the rowing sculls began to take on water and capsized, throwing 18 students into the water. Some of the students then swam to the chase boat and hung onto the side, which caused the chase boat to sink.
Sixteen-year-old Davis Evans was on one of the boats that capsized and had to be rescued.
"It was really scary. I'm still kinda shaken up," he said. "It was really clean and then really right as we spun, it just, it got windy and the waves were just crashing into our boat and it was just filling up with water. It was really scary."
Watch: Westport officials provide update on water rescue in Long Island Sound
Police say a second coach launched another chase boat from the rowing club and began to shuttle people to Compo Beach Marina as first responders were sent to the scene.
"We had dispatch reports that were coming from 911 calls from the actual incident on the water. So the first calls were actually from someone [who] reported that they were in a capsized boat and in the water," Westport Deputy Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan said.
According to police, the temperature of the water was approximately 44 degrees at the time.
Chaotic scene in water and on shore
"Responding units found a chaotic scene of youths swimming to shore. Some of them were arriving by boat. Some were swimming. Some were still in the water between Compo Beach and Cockenoe Island," Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said. "First responders immediately began providing care to those individuals who were on shore and coordinating the recovery of people in the water."
"When we finally got back on the beach, we had to run back on the beach towards the trucks and we were, like, falling and stuff. We couldn't really walk. It was rough," Davis said.
The rescues
A total of 27 high school students and two adults were rescued, with at least 12 rowers being pulled out of the water by Westport Marine Police and the Westport Fire Department.
Police say the last victim was recovered from the water around 6 p.m. -- somewhere between 48-52 minutes after the boats capsized.
Two students were taken to a local hospital to be treated for hypothermia. The rest of the victims were treated on the scene.
"Team effort"
"This was truly an incredible team effort by all. By the coaches that were involved from the rowing club and by all the first responders," Koskinas said.
When asked if he'll be back on the water any time soon, Davis said, "Yeah, rowing is my sport. It's what I do."
We reached out to Saugatuck Rowing Club, but they declined to comment.
The police chief says they're still looking into exactly what happened out on the water. The goal of the investigation is to work with community partners to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.