KEY WEST, Fla. — A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station Miami rescued two kayakers after they became disoriented and mildly hypothermic Saturday morning near Niles Channel between Summerland Key, Fla. and Cudjoe Key, Fla.
Coast Guard search-and-rescue watchstanders at Sector Key West, Fla., received a cell phone call from the two kayakers, Travis Jackson, and Josh Turner, both 17 years old and from Coral Springs, Fla., at 4 a.m. Saturday stating they were coming from Sawyer Keys, Fla. to Summerland Key but were unable to make it to land and were drifting further north. The two said they were very cold and were huddled under an emergency blanket.
The Coast Guard immediately responded by launching the Dolphin aircrew from Air Station Miami. The aircrew arrived on scene and hoisted both kayakers at approximately 6:45 a.m. then took them to Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West where they were listed in stable condition.
