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Mon, 11-Mar-2002: The Newark Star LedgerThe body of a kayaker last seen Sunday afternoon was pulled from the Round Valley Reservoir in Hunterdon County yesterday morning, authorities said. Nicolae Rado, 27, of Piscataway perished in the frigid waters, said Sgt. Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the State Police.The man's body was found by friends shortly before 7 a.m. on the eastern shore of the reservoir, moments before the scheduled resumption of an official search. The body was found face down on the shore between campsites 63 and 64, about 100 yards from where the kayak and paddles were found at 8:45 p.m. Sunday, the sergeant said. The victim was wearing a wet suit on his upper body, but it was of little use in the cold water, Della Fave added. "It doesn't matter what he was wearing," Della Fave said. "Once he can't get back to shore, he's not going to last." Rado apparently launched his kayak sometime between 10 and 11 a.m. Sunday, ignoring warnings that weather conditions were hazardous, authorities said. With 4-foot swells and 50 mph winds blowing in the area, he apparently ignored flashing beacons that signaled hazardous conditions, authorities added. A sign posted near the launch point at the Clinton Township recreation area warns against boating when the warning lights are blinking. Rado apparently struggled to navigate the choppy waters, keeping in contact with his unidentified girlfriend, who remained on shore. She lost contact with him at 2:30 p.m. He was reported last seen by fishermen at 3 p.m., Della Fave said. A search was conducted by a State Police helicopter using night vision and thermal imaging equipment until about 9:30 p.m. Sunday -- 45 minutes after the empty kayak was found -- when it was discontinued because of high winds, Della Fave said. Also participating in the search were rescuers from the Clinton first aid squad, the Somerset County Dive and Rescue Team and the State Police Marine Unit. A Whitehouse rescue crew and state rangers from Spruce Run and Voorhees also joined the search. |
| This was someone who should not have been on the water at this time of year. First of all, the warning lights were on long before he launched; he broke the law by going out, since it was closed to boats. (Those lights are not a recommendation.) He had neither the proper skills (only his second time in the boat), or the proper clothing (he was dressed in a shell top, shorts and sandals), I still can't imagine what he was thinking. The water temp was 42 degrees, when he went the water he didn't have a chance. All the rescue personnel involved in this deserve high praise in putting their own lives at risk in conditions that were marginal at best. |