Stranded Paddle Surfer Rescued Off Third Beach

The on Sunday afternoon rescued a stand-up paddle surfer who had become stranded off shore between in Middletown and Little Compton, according to Middletown Fire Department Chief Ronald Doire.

The Middletown Fire Department received a call from a paddle surfer around 1 p.m. on Sunday who reported that his friend appeared to be stranded off shore with difficulty paddling back against the wind, Doire said.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they launched the department's personal water craft and rescue sled. They found the surfer in the water holding his board as a strong southwest wind continued to carry him out toward Little Compton, Doire said.

Firefighters Nathan McGillivray and Rebecca Fisher rode the watercraft and pulled the surfer onto the towed rescue sled to bring him safely to shore.

Middletown Fire Department Captain Brian Powell and firefighters Chris Kane and Jon Reese assessed the surfer's condition back on shore. The surfer declined further evaluation and treatment at Newport Hospital, Doire said.