A kayaker drowned after being pulled by a swift current in the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware, Tuesday afternoon.
The unidentified man was kayaking in the river in the area of Superfine Lane and Race Street shortly before 12:30 p.m. when he was carried by a swift current, causing the kayak to capsize.
The man was moving down the river toward the East 16th Street Bridge when rescuers arrived.
Witnesses first tried to rescue the man but needed help themselves to get out by responding firefighters.
The man was found along the river banks in the area of the East 16th Street Bridge and pulled out of the water by a police officer and paramedic. The rescuers performed CPR and the man was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Willie Patrick, the Wilmington Emergency Management Director, told NBC10 that Tuesday's river was at a higher volume than normal.
"This is not the time to be adventurous and go out in the water and be out boating or swimming or anything like that," Patrick said. "Stay out of the water."
