29 people rescued after rowing shells capsize in Connecticut: officials

WESTPORT, C.T. (PIX11) – First responders pulled 27 high school students and two adults out of the Long Island Sound in Connecticut Wednesday night after several rowing shells capsized, according to officials.

The rowers were out on the water in Westport when weather conditions changed suddenly, causing them to start heading back toward their boathouse, officials said.

That’s when the boats overturned, leaving people to swim in 44-degree water.

Two boys, ages 1 and 2, critically injured in Washington Heights fire: NYPD

Some people swam to shore, but several tried to swim to another boat, which caused it to sink, officials said.

Two people were hospitalized for cold exposure, officials said.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.