March 14, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 98

For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Boater Clinging to Lifejacket Rescued from Betts Pond

            A Laurel man involved in a boat swamping yesterday morning at Betts Pond was rescued by Millsboro Police while clinging to his lifejacket. 

            According to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement spokesman Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Kevin S. Callahan of Laurel was fishing about 50 yards from shore when his boat began to take on water and quickly became swamped, landing Callahan in the water. He attempted to put on his lifejacket but was unable to get it on. Instead, he used it for floatation until help arrived.

            A Millsboro Police officer and a civilian passerby, Robert Hearn, paddled a borrowed canoe out on the pond to pull Callahan from the water. A second passerby, Martin Schmidt of Ellendale, also paddled a canoe out on the pond to assist. Callahan was transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital and treated for hypothermia.

            “When officers interviewed him after the incident, Mr. Callahan told them he thought he would have drowned if he had not had the lifejacket with him,” Rhodes said.

            The Millsboro Volunteer Fire Company, Sussex County Paramedics, Delaware State Police and the Millsboro Police were the first responders. Fish and Wildlife Enforcement was also at the scene and is investigating the incident.

For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913.