Kayakers To the Rescue

Going to have to look into this group "Just Kayak More"

http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/mystery-kayaker-hailed-as-hero-identified/31857926

A man’s mission to find the mystery kayaker whom he says saved his life is now over.

Alan Ashley fell down a 30-foot embankment Saturday at the Anderson River Park. Ashley was badly injured and unconscious, but a kayker found him and stayed with him until emergency responders arrived.

Alan reached out to KRCR News Channel 7, in hopes to find the woman he said saved his life. The story aired on Monday, and within minutes, the station received a news tip with the woman’s identity.

The mystery kayaker was identified as Lisa Shapiro of Placerville. Shapiro was kayaking with a local group called “Just Kayak More” on the Sacramento River.

According to Shapiro, two other kayakers in the group also noticed Ashley, lying on the ground.

“Something just seemed wrong,” Shaprio said. “The way he was crumpled on the ground, we knew he was unconscious.”

The three of them paddled over to Ashley.

“I want to say there were people there. I was not the only one. I’m just the one that stayed with Alan,” Shapiro said.

John Whittenberger, of Redding, was one of the other two kayakers that found Ashley.

Whittenberger says the three of them instantly fell into different roles, and worked as a team to make sure they found help. He went up to the embankment and waved a car over and asked the driver to call 911. He said he initially tried to talk to Ashley, but couldn’t get him to talk.

“Lisa was better at [getting him to talk],” said Whittenberger.

Shapiro stayed with Ashley, encouraging him.

“I was nervous. I was worried. He couldn’t breathe, he was in a bad situation and I knew just to make him hold on,” Shapiro said.

Ashley and Shapiro are planning on a reunion in the near future.

awesome!

Excellence.  Kayakers rule!