WESTPORT, Conn. — Almost 30 people were rescued after two boats collided and one capsized in Westport Wednesday, according to town officials.
Officials said that the town's police, fire and EMS departments were called for a water rescue at 5:06 p.m. involving multiple people off of Compo Beach.
Three rowing sculls from the Saugatuck Rowing Club with nine students each, along with one chase boat with an adult coach, were out by Cockenoe Island at the time. According to police, the students were aged 14 to 18.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police said the group began heading back towards the rowing club when the weather began to change. Two boats with students were impacted by the water during the weather change, causing them to capsize and throw 19 people in the water.
The people in the water then swam to the chase boat and hung from the side of it, causing it to sink, police said. That chase boat has since been found, submerged near Cockeone Island, police said Thursday. Crews plan to recover the chase boat Thursday afternoon.
One of the capsized rowing sculls remains missing as of Thursday, police said.
Crews who arrived at the island found a "chaotic scene" of youths in the water, including some swimming to shore and others arriving by boat, police said.
While people were being accounted for and pulled out of the water, police said that two students were taken to the hospital for treatment for cold exposure, and have since been released.
A chase boat from the rowing club had arrived and began shuttling people to Compo Beach Marina, police said. Students were then taken back from Compo Beach to Saugatuck Rowing Club by a school bus from the Westport Board of Ed.
Several agencies were called to assist the town's emergency services in resolving the situation, including marine divisions from Norwalk, Stamford, and Fairfield, a Noroton Fire Boat, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Crews from the Norwalk Hospital, American Medical Response and Darien EMS also provided medical services, according to police.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.