VIDEO: Two Hartford firefighters fell into the Farmington River while trying to rescue a kayaker who was stuck on an old bridge. Officials confirmed two kayakers fell into the East Granby section of the river on Saturday at 7 p.m. The woman made it to shore, but the man was stranded on an old bridge piling.
The Hartford Fire Department’s Tactical Rescue team worked to get the man to safety despite the rapids and poor conditions. First, they tried to get a rope across and walk out to the victim, but the rapids were too strong. “Even with the two of us holding onto each other to weigh us down, every time we took a step in the center of the river it would sweep us off our feet,” said Lieutenant Ashley Shapiro, Hartford Fire Department.
Captain Andrew Beliveau and Lieutenant Shaprio led the charge from either side of the river. “I’m ordering two guys to put themselves in danger and go in the middle of the Farmington River. In the worst conditions possible,” said Lieutenant Shapiro. That’s when they put firefighters Hector Nieves and Adrian Bakrina on a rescue boat. They were able to reach the bridge and get the man on the boat. However, as they were making it back to shore, the current twisted and capsized their boat, leaving three people fighting to get to safety.
One of the firefighters in that rescue boat said trying to swim felt like tumbling in a washing machine and trying to get out. The lieutenant who was commander of the scene described what was going through his head as his crew members fell into the river. “They had the victim and everything was going great but the second the boat capsized the thought that went through my head is, ‘oh my god I just lost two guys and the victim’,” said Lieutenant Shapiro. Bakrina held onto the victim while Nieves held onto his partner and swam for their lives. “Sheer will. You force through it. Swim as hard as you can,” said the firefighters.
