Murfreesboro’s Swiftwater team rescues kayaker

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department’s Swiftwater Rescue team helped a save a kayaker who had been stranded for more than an hour on Wednesday afternoon.

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The department said that fast-moving water in the Stones River caused the kayak to overturn near the Cason Lane Trailhead. The woman reportedly grabbed a tree and held the upside-down kayak with her other hand until the team found her.

Authorities added that her boyfriend has notified authorities because her phone was submerged underneath the kayak. She was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident, nor was she injured.

Recent rainfall that came with Monday’s EF-0 tornado caused the river to rise.

“If you are inexperienced and the water is flowing rapidly, stay off the river,” said MFRD Battalion Chief Mike Keith.  “Always wear a life jacket and never kayak alone.”

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