Pair of kayakers rescued after stranded in swollen Rocky River

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — Two men were rescued after being tossed out of their kayaks in Stanly County late Tuesday night.

Channel 9 was on the scene as the rescue unfolded near Love Mill Road on the Rocky River that flows through the county.

The men said they consider themselves experienced, but the water was rushing very high due to recent heavy rains.

Officials said four men in two different kayaks got separated in the darkness, around 8 p.m. Two of them managed to get out of the water but didn't see the other two men so they went to get help.

Meanwhile, the other two men said their kayaks flipped, and they lost all their belongings. They were able to climb onto logs and trees on an island in the middle of the river, and were able to get a cellphone signal.

One of the men finally reached his fiancee, who called 911. The pair then huddled in the cold as Stanly County, Union County and Charlotte Fire Department's swift water rescue team finally found them.

Channel 9 was there when the rescue crews brought the men to safety around 2 a.m.

“Our kayaks got pinned under near the island and we were stuck in the rapids and couldn't get out,” said Matthew Smith. “We’ve been up on the river when it’s been this high before but we've never been past Rainy Ford Road that’s probably where we messed up the most, going in uncharted territory.”

Paramedics checked them out and both are expected to be OK.

(Click PLAY to listen to rescued kayaker)

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