MIDDLETOWN - Local fire officials were conducting a routine check of their fire boat on Friday when they discovered a man in distress, stuck to his waist in mud.
The individual, whose name has not been released, had waded in near River Road along the banks of the Connecticut River during low tide, and had strayed roughly fifteen feet from the shoreline, a department representative later said.
Without anyone in sight or a cellphone within reach, the stranded man was gradually sinking deeper into the dark mud, officials said. When the fire department happened by more than an hour later, the treacherous conditions - which a department official later likened to quicksand - had absorbed the individual to above his waist.
"The chance of somebody coming upon him was pretty remote," said Middletown's Fire Chief James Trzaski. "He happened to be in the wrong place at the right time."
The members of South District Fire Department on duty used what materials they had to fashion an ad hoc harness to hoist him out of harm's way. Despite the balmy weather, firefighters Michael Cortezzo and Cody Dudek dawned suits normally used for ice rescues, and eventually extracted the man, unharmed, about 25 minutes later.
The individual was later transported to Middlesex Hospital for observation.
Following the incident, local authorities urged Connecticut residents to exercise caution when engaging in nature unaccompanied.
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This article originally published at Man trapped waist-deep in Connecticut River mud rescued by chance, officials say.