WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Man Critical After Plunge into River (Groton-WTNH) _ A Norwich man is in the hospital after a fishing trip turns disastrous. Richard Cooley and his friend got into trouble Friday morning when their small boat capsized in the Pequonnock River near the Groton-New London airport. Several people attempted to rescue them from the frigid water but had to turn back. It took a heroic effort by fire fighters to pull them out. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports. Two fishermen are rushed to the hospital. Not far away their small row boat floats bottom up in the middle of the Pequonnock River. Phil Fredericks, Meriden: "I was fishing on the other side and heard somebody shouting Hey! I didn't see nobody, I came over here and found out a couple guys obviously fell in the river." They fell into the river we're told after spending several hours out here enjoying themselves. All that though changed very abruptly. According to witnesses, both men were out in a small boat in the middle of the river fishing. They say one man stood up and the boat tipped over throwing both into the water. 47 year Karl Hylen managed to get to shore but his buddy, 51 year old Richard Cooley, did not. Several people came rushing to help but quickly realized it would be too dangerous to even attempt to rescue him. Al Trombetti, North Providence: "The water's so cold and there was nothing we could do... It was very upsetting, because you couldn't do anything. Your hands were tied." Even fire fighters who raced here were momentarily helpless. They had to wait for their special cold water rescue suits to arrive before plunging in. Scott Lindy, Firefighter: "The guy was still in the water, semi-conscious, we got dressed, went out, the guys on shore directed us how to get him and we grabbed him. Hopefully he'll pull through." Cooley was not breathing and had no pulse when he was brought in. EMTs resuscitated him though on the way to the hospital. He's listed in critical condition in the ICU. Hylen was treated for hypothermia and was released. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Man Critical After Plunge into River
(Groton-WTNH) _ A Norwich man is in the hospital after a fishing trip turns disastrous. Richard Cooley and his friend got into trouble Friday morning when their small boat capsized in the Pequonnock River near the Groton-New London airport. Several people attempted to rescue them from the frigid water but had to turn back. It took a heroic effort by fire fighters to pull them out.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.

Two fishermen are rushed to the hospital. Not far away their small row boat floats bottom up in the middle of the Pequonnock River.

Phil Fredericks, Meriden: "I was fishing on the other side and heard somebody shouting Hey! I didn't see nobody, I came over here and found out a couple guys obviously fell in the river."

They fell into the river we're told after spending several hours out here enjoying themselves. All that though changed very abruptly. According to witnesses, both men were out in a small boat in the middle of the river fishing. They say one man stood up and the boat tipped over throwing both into the water.

47 year Karl Hylen managed to get to shore but his buddy, 51 year old Richard Cooley, did not. Several people came rushing to help but quickly realized it would be too dangerous to even attempt to rescue him.

Al Trombetti, North Providence: "The water's so cold and there was nothing we could do... It was very upsetting, because you couldn't do anything. Your hands were tied."

Even fire fighters who raced here were momentarily helpless. They had to wait for their special cold water rescue suits to arrive before plunging in.

Scott Lindy, Firefighter: "The guy was still in the water, semi-conscious, we got dressed, went out, the guys on shore directed us how to get him and we grabbed him. Hopefully he'll pull through."

Cooley was not breathing and had no pulse when he was brought in. EMTs resuscitated him though on the way to the hospital. He's listed in critical condition in the ICU. Hylen was treated for hypothermia and was released.

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