Man in sinking kayak rescued from Tennessee River

( “This was our first rescue using our newly acquired fireboats. The two boats are to protect citizens and visitors on the water and today, the boat that was used in the response was a life-saving asset.”)

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A kayaker was rescued from the Tennessee river this afternoon.

And he can probably thank a driver on the Chickamauga Dam with saving his life.

Fire officials say they got a call from the driver that the man was struggling in the river below the dam around 3:15.

When the Fireboat got to the scene, he was waiving for help.

The man said he decided to swim for it when he realized his kayak had a hole in it and was sinking.

But he was far out into the river and didn’t have a life jacket.

Fire officials say he was very tired when they got to him.

They got him on to the boat and in the care of EMS responders on the shore.

Then they went back out and retrieved his kayak.

“Thanks to the Good Samaritan driving by who spotted this person in trouble and called 911 so we could quickly get to him,” said Captain Chris Blazek.