Drowning kayaker rescued off of Bishopville shoreline

BISHOPVILLE, Md. – Fire officials rescuing a kayaker in distress Sunday afternoon.

Around 2:00 p.m., Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) assisted Showell Volunteer Fire Department with a water rescue in the St. Martin River. The call originally came in as a potential drowning.

Rescuers responded to the Ocean Pines boast ramp and began searching the water for the kayaker. At the same time, Rescue Boat 11 was deployed towards the river. The rescue boat picked up the kayaker along the Bishopville Shoreline, who fire officials say was in the water for at least 45 minutes. The kayaker was not hurt.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources assisted in the rescue operation. OPVFD reminds those on the water to always wear a life jacket, no matter how experienced you may be.