Jet Skier Rescued From Naugatuck River By Derby Fire, Ambulance Crews

DERBY, CT — A jet skier was rescued from the Naugatuck River by Derby fire and ambulance crews Wednesday night, according to the Storm Engine Co./Ambulance Corps Co. 2.

In a news release posted to Facebook, officials said members of Storm Ambulance & Rescue and the Derby Fire Department were called to the area of Main Street around 8 p.m. after receiving a report of a jet skier in distress on the river.

Crews made contact with the jet skier and found he needed to be removed from the river using a rope rescue system, Storm Ambulance officials said.

According to the release, the rescue "was a complex and challenging operation," during which Storm Ambulance crews used cold water rescue suits and set up a rope rescue system to bring the jet skier up an extremely steep hill on the river bank.

Storm Ambulance crews then took the jet skier to the trauma center at Yale New Haven Hospital due to his injuries and exposure to cold water, officials said.

Shelton firefighters also responded to the area and were standing by with rescue boats in case they were needed, officials said.

More information, including photos of the rescue, can be viewed here.