Paddler rescued from Cohocton River in Avoca after angler spots empty kayak floating by

A paddler whose kayak overturned in the Cohocton River in central Steuben County was rescued after a sharp-eyed angler spotted his empty craft and alerted authorities.

Around 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, state troopers received a phone call from someone who said he observed an overturned kayak, an oar and a coffee mug float past him while he was fishing in the Cohocton River near the Dollar General on state Route 415 in Avoca, according to New York State Police at Wayland.

Troopers responded to the scene and called for additional resources. The state police Unmanned Aerial System Unit (UAS) also responded to the scene.

Shortly thereafter, the Steuben County 911 center received a call from the kayaker, Trevor L. Conklin, 31, of Avon, who indicated he was stranded on a peninsula in the river after his kayak overturned.

The UAS was able to locate Conklin and the Bath Swift Water Rescue team then retrieved him from the river, state police said.

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Conklin was treated at the scene by personnel from Bath Ambulance and released.

State police were also assisted by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and the Steuben County Office of Emergency Services.

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Paddler rescued from Steuben County river after angler spots kayak