By Lerone Graham
The Roanoke Times
ROCKBRIDGE COUNY, Va. — Several crews were dispatched to Rockbridge County on Sunday night to rescue two Albermarle County volunteer firefighters left stranded after their canoe capsized.
The firefighters, a man and a woman in their 20s, were canoeing the James River for pleasure when they entered swift water and the canoe became wedged between two rocks, said Robert Foresman, emergency management coordinator with Rockbridge County.
Foresman said the two attempted to free the canoe, at which point it filled with water and sank.
He said they were able to get their belongings out and cling to a rock. While stranded, one of the firefighters called 911 from a cellphone.
Authorities received the call about 6 p.m. Crews from the Virginia State Police, Glasgow Fire Department, Glasgow Rescue Squad, Rockbridge County Emergency Management, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Buena Vista swiftwater rescue team responded.
They canoeists were out of the water by about 8:30 p.m. They were cold, but suffered no injuries.
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