Drone Operator Helps Rescue Capsized Kayaker

A drone operator helped rescue a Long Island kayaker after his boat overturned and he was swept into the ocean at Moriches Inlet, New York, on February 25.

The kayaker was at Moriches Inlet seal-watching on Sunday when his kayak overturned according to local media.

Video from Michael Busch shows the kayaker kicking his feet and raising his arm as he tries to signal for help.

Busch told Storyful he used his drone to work with emergency services in their rescue operation.

“I coordinated with police and fire departments and kept an eye on him with my drone. After 40 minutes in the water he was pulled out and airlifted to the hospital – apparently, he is OK,” Busch said.

Multiple emergency crews responded to the incident and a rescue swimmer pulled the kayaker to safety, Eastport Fire Department said.

The man was suffering from hypothermia and treated at the scene before being airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. Credit: Michael Busch via Storyful

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