LAWRENCE, MASS. (WHDH) - Members of the Lawrence Fire Department rescued a man Wednesday afternoon after his kayak overturned on the Merrimack River.
Several firefighters happened to be on the river already training for rescue missions. They initially passed the 50-year-old Lawrence man and waved to him but upon returning, found the kayak overturned.
The firefighters got the man out of the water and found he had no pulse. CPR was performed to revive him and he was brought to the hospital.
“This guy had luck on his side and a bunch of skilled professionals that did an outstanding job,” said Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty.
The 51-year-old was airlifted to a hospital in Boston, where he remains in critical condition.
Man nearly drowns after his kayak overturns – Lawrence Police chief says he was saved by the fire dept out on the river training.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) June 29, 2016
The man had a very faint or non existent pulse but was brought back by the fire dept.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) June 29, 2016
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