Two Canoers Rescued From Naugatuck River

The Waterbury Fire Department rescued two people whose canoe capsized in the Naugatuck River near the Waterbury/Naugatuck line Sunday night.

The people, identified by the Republican-American as Francisco and Shawnda Barbosa of Waterbury, were rescued just before 7 p.m. off of Platts Mill Road after they went into the water and hung on to tree limbs and rocks for more than an hour near a bridge, Naugatuck firefighters said.

Both were believed to be OK; one was taken to the hospital for evaluation and possible hypothermia, firefighters said.

The Naugatuck Fire Department and volunteer firefighters from Beacon Falls set up south of where Waterbury firefighters set up in case the canoers slipped and traveled beyond where Waterbury firefighters were set up. That did not happen. 

Waterbury firefighters used a ladder truck, and some hung by ropes, to get at the boaters.

Naugatuck firefighters said the river was traveling an estimated 20 mph and was high because of the recent rain.

A spokesperson for the Waterbury Fire Department could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Editor's Note: We originally had been told this was a kayak; it was a canoe.