LAKEVILLE — A 21-year-old man was rescued from Long Pond and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital after his kayak became swamped with water Tuesday, April 8.

The man was located more than 1,000 feet from shore and was struggling to stay afloat when he was rescued, Lakeville Fire Chief Michael O’Brien said.

The victim was hypothermic, Freetown fire officials reported, and was transported by Lakeville paramedics to St Luke’s Hospital. His condition is not life-threatening, O’Brien said.

At 4:10 p.m. April 8, the Lakeville and Freetown Fire departments simultaneously received notification of a “person in the water” in the area of Heaven Heights, the chief said.

The two departments respond jointly to incidents on Long Pond to offer more resources and equipment. The rescue boat was launched near Charbonneau Avenue in Freetown.

They learned that two men were kayaking when one of the kayaks became swamped. 

At the time of the incident, winds were gusting at more than 30 mph. When the second kayaker was unable to assist the man in the water, he paddled to shore to call for help.

Lakeville crews arrived just after the Freetown Fire Department and quickly deployed a rescue boat, O’Brien said. 

A combined crew of Lakeville and Freetown firefighters located the victim, who was not wearing a life vest.

The rescue boat was taken to a more sheltered location, near Estelle Avenue in Freetown, where Lakeville paramedics began treatment.

A Lakeville firefighter was evaluated at the scene following the rescue but was able to continue working.