Kayakers David Frundt and his son were helped out of the Blue Earth River by local emergency rescue personnel on Saturday, June 23.

“It was a spur of the moment decision, and, as it turned out, it was the wrong decision.”

Blue Earth city attorney David Frundt had that to say about going kayaking on the Blue Earth River on Saturday evening, June 23.

Frundt, who was kayaking with his son, Jack, 16, had to be rescued from the river by local emergency personnel.

According to a release from the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office, Frundt’s kayak had been lodged against a tree and he was unable to get free due to the current.

The incident happened just north of the bridge which is just west of the Blue Earth Swimming Pool. “I went under the bridge OK and around the bend then got tangled up in all the trees hanging over the river,” Frundt said. “I grabbed a tree and hung onto it, but the current was pulling the kayak away sideways so I climbed into the tree.”

The kayak went down river. Frundt’s son, Jack, was able to avoid the trees and stay in the middle of the river, then made it to shore safely.

“I was stuck in the tree and eventually we were losing daylight so we made the call for help,” Frundt says.

Blue Earth Police, Blue Earth Fire and Rescue and the sheriff’s department all responded to the call at 8:46 p.m.

It was Faribault County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy Scott Adams who went into the river and rescued Frundt.

“I’m thankful they have a wonderful rescue operation,” Frundt says. “They knew just what to do and they had the right equipment to do it. And Scott Adams was terrific.”

Frundt was uninjured, according to the sheriff’s report. The Blue Earth Ambulance and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also assisted at the scene, the report states.

On Wednesday, the DNR issued a warning about boating, canoeing and kayaking in rivers that have high levels and are at flood stage or above.

Boaters should exercise extreme caution or stay away altogether until the water recedes, the DNR release states.