Crews Searching For Missing Kayaker In Hudson River
CORNWALL, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York State Police are searching for a man who went missing from his kayak on the Hudson River in Orange County.
Angelika Graswald and her fiance Vincent Viafore, both of Poughkeepsie, were kayaking on the river in the area of Newburgh around 7:30 p.m. Sunday when Viafore's kayak capsized, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported.
Rough water and strong winds and currents played a role in the capsizing, police said.
"Yesterday, it started out as a nice day and as the day went on, it grew cooler and the winds picked up and it became more like today," said State Police Capt. Brendan Casey.
Viafore, who was not wearing a flotation device, was unable to get back to his kayak.
Meanwhile, authorities said Graswald called 911 to report the incident, but while trying to help Viafore, she fell out of her own kayak.
State police said a boater located and rescued Graswald from the water. Graswald, who was wearing a life-preserver, was treated and released from a local hospital for hypothermia, police said.
But while both kayak's were located, multiple agencies were unable to find Viafore Sunday night.
Authorities suspended search operations until Monday morning, when search efforts recommenced.
Now, state police have the same adverse weather conditions working against them as they search the water between Plum Point -- where the couple launched the kayaks -- and the Cornwall Yacht Club.
Wes Gottlock knows the couple well and said he saw them on Sunday out on the water. It wasn't until later that night that he heard a search was underway.
"(What do you make of all this?) Well it's just very, very scary. This time of the year, it's still a little precarious to be out there because the water is still quite cold," he said.
Peter Brandt has lived near the water for 40 years and has often kayaked the river, but said it's still too early in the year and too cold.
"I feel very bad about it, are they accomplished kayakers? Right now if you look out there it is very rough," he said.
Gottlock said he's still hoping for good news.
"They've been together for quite a while and wonderful, wonderful, relationship they have, that much we know," he said.
Police said they'll continue the search again on Tuesday.
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