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Rescue Workers Pluck Kayakers from Frigid Jamaica Bay

By Alan Neuhauser | February 9, 2013 4:39pm | Updated on February 9, 2013 4:58pm

QUEENS — Emergency workers saved a pair of kayakers who plunged into the frigid waters off Broad Channel Saturday afternoon, the FDNY reported.

Emergency units from the city's fire and police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard converged near 930 Lanark Rd. just after 3 p.m., where they found two 32-year-old men in the water.

According to police officers from a helicopter grabbed one of the men and airlifted him to Floyd Bennett Field.

After that, another officer, Det. John Kenny, heard the call for the boaters in distress and responded, the NYPD said.

When he saw the kayaker swimming toward a small boat that was anchored in the water, he threw on his wetsuit and swam 200 yards to the man, cops said.

Both were rushed to Jamaica Hospital — one by NYPD helicopter and treated for hypothermia, as was Det. Kenny.

It remained unclear how the kayakers fell into the water.