2 people rescued after kayaks sink off Elliott Key

Victims rescued by helicopter, said to be in good health

MIAMI – Two people who were kayaking off Elliott Key were rescued Wednesday night by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews.

Authorities said the victims were reported missing shortly before 11 p.m., leading to an extensive multi-agency search.

According to fire rescue officials, family members of the victims contacted a friend with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who initiated the search.

Agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, Miami-Dade Police Department and a Miami Fire Rescue boat all participated in the search but were unsuccessful in finding the victims. 

A MDFR flight crew eventually located the victims with the help of night-vision goggles.

The victims told authorities that they headed out on the kayaks from Bayfront Marina about 8 a.m. At about 4 p.m. one of the kayaks began taking on water and eventually sank just north of Petro Point on Elliott Key.

The victims said they hung onto the other kayak, but it too began taking on water. Eventually they were able to swim to the closet land they could spot.

The victims were rescued by helicopter. They were both said to be in good health with the exception of being thirsty and cold.

Authorities said the victims lost all of their belongings from the trip including, cellphones, shoes, food and water. 

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.