June 10--NORTH EAST -- A 19-year-old volunteer firefighter helped rescue an Illinois man who flipped out of a kayak and into Lake Erie late this afternoon, fire officials said.
John Hupp III, of the North East Fire Department, swam out about 60 feet to help the man, said Frank Fisher, the department's rescue chief. Hupp also is a lifeguard at Freeport Beach.
The incident happened at about 4:15 p.m. today near the North East Marina, authorities said. The kayaker, whom officials did not identify, was not injured.
The Illinois man, on vacation in the Erie region and renting a cottage in North East, was alone when he flipped out of his kayak. He went underwater at least twice, according to people who live along the lake who spotted him and called 911.
The man tried to swim to shore but struggled. Hupp swam and brought him ashore, Fisher said.
The man was treated by fire officials and refused to be taken to the hospital
A rescue crew with the U.S. Coast Guard also was called to the scene.
Copyright 2013 - Erie Times-News, Pa.
