BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies rescued four boaters after a canoe capsized in the Indian River Lagoon Wednesday. Brevard County rescuers pulled the young boaters out of the water.
A spring break getaway turned into a rescue effort after a canoe with four teenagers in it sank in the Indian River Lagoon. The teens had loaded up two boats with sleeping bags, along with other gear, and were on their way to an island in the middle of the river when they ran into trouble.
"Waves came over the side, filled it up with water and we went down," said one of the teens, Paul Bostwick.
The teenagers said they had too much gear in the boats and the water was too choppy. They didn't realize it until it was too late.
The four teens said they were in the water for nearly an hour trying to wave down help.
"Just praying that somebody would come. All the boats that came by they wouldn't stop and help us," said Bostwick.
Bostwick had a life jacket on and swam to shore to get help, while one hung onto a piling and another hung onto the canoe. The fourth teen swam toward a small island.
Before authorities could get to the area, another boater had already pulled two of the teenagers out of the water and went back to get the last.
"You got to be respectful of the river here. It's such shallow water, a little bit of wind will kick it up in no time and it's extremely dangerous," said rescuer and boater Eric Sevor.
One teenager said he checked the weather before he left and admitted he should have listened to his mother who warned him that it might not be the best day to go out on the river.
Fish and Wildlife Commission officers said there were about 850 pounds of equipment in one of the canoes.
The teens were cited for improper safety equipment and a given a warning for careless boating.
WFTV
