Crews rescue kayaker from Maumee Bay

4/24/2006

A 17-year-old boy was rescued by emergency crews in Maumee Bay yesterday after he couldn t paddle his kayak to shore.

Martin Nelson, a junior at the Phoenix Academy, said he went out into the bay about 12:30 p.m. but his boat s motor went out and the wind was too strong for him to paddle to shore.

Toledo Fire Department Battalion Chief Tony Gregory said someone along the shore, near 135th Street in Point Place, saw the youth struggling with his boat and called 911. Toledo Fire, Washington Township Fire water rescue crews along with the U.S. Coast Guard assisted in bringing the boy to safety.

He was wrapped in a blanket when he was hugged by his mother as crews brought him to shore at Cullen Park and checked him for injuries about 1:30 p.m. He was never in the water, even though there were earlier reports that his boat may have capsized.