Kayaker Trapped Under Water For 20 Minutes
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A kayaker was rushed to the hospital Sunday evening after swift currents wedged her underwater next to a roadway overpass support for 20 minutes.
Authorities said a two-person kayak crashed into the concrete support underneath the Watt Avenue bridge over the American River at about 7:30 p.m., flipping the kayak upside down and pinning both people under the water line.
One of the kayakers managed to break free, but a female kayaker was trapped, according to the Sacramento Metro Fire Department.
Miguel Maldonado said he and his father jumped into the river after witnessing the accident and desperately tried to free the victim while authorities raced to the scene.
"The kayak kind of folded in half," Miguel said. "I had her arm out of the water… I felt her other arm floating, touching my leg."
It took 20 minutes before a fire department boat was able to pull the woman free of the current and begin lifesaving procedures on shore. She was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center in unknown condition.
The victim's identity has not been released.
