Retired Firefighter Rescues Two Teen Kayakers In Long Island Sound
GREENPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A retired firefighter is being praised for saving two teens over the holiday weekend on Long Island.
Retired firefighter Paul Hashagen was relaxing at his vacation home in Greenport when he was summoned to help rescue two teenagers in the Long Island Sound.
"One of the neighbors came up knocking on the door saying that some kids were in a kayak that had flipped over out in the Long Island Sound," Hashagen told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "I ran downstairs and got my kayak."
Retired Firefighter Saves Two Teens After Kayak Flips Over In Long Island Sound
He said the two 16-year-olds were a half-mile out, fighting a strong current and hypothermia was a big concern.
"The wind was blowing pretty strong and the current was moving out," Hashagen said. "They had life jackets on but the water was cold, the water was only in the 50s. At one point the young lady did mention that she was losing the feeling in her legs."
The teens are OK.
"They were very happy that somebody showed up to help them," Hashagen said.
The 64-year-old Hashagen who retired from the FDNY and the Freeport Fire Department received the kayak he used in the rescue as a retirement gift.
"Here I get to use it a couple of years later to help out some people in trouble," he said.
