Two kayakers rescued near Birch Bay State Park after over 30 minutes in water

Two Good Samaritans rescued a juvenile and adult who had overturned their kayak near Birch Bay State Park around mid-afternoon on December 10. 

Whatcom County Fire District No. 7 fire chief Ben Boyko told The Northern Light crews were dispatched at 2:54 p.m. and arrived on scene at 3:04 p.m. to find the juvenile and adult warming up in separate cars.

Boyko said they were told that the two had been in the water for around 30 to 40 minutes, about 300 to 500 feet off shore, before being rescued. Two bystanders launched in a kayak with an empty kayak to carry the juvenile and adult back to shore, he said. 

Boyko said the two groups were not there together and did not know each other before the incident.

An ambulance transported the adult and juvenile to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center under basic life support aid, Boyko said.