16 degree cold water

Four capsized kayakers rescued from the Danube

Water suddenly entered two kayaks on Friday - causing the boats to capsize on the Danube near Mauthausen in Upper Austria. One of the four athletes who went swimming involuntarily was able to swim to shore himself, the other three were rescued from the 16 degree cold river by the fire department.

Late on Friday afternoon, four kayakers were traveling downstream on the Danube from Linz. At the Mauthausen bridge, water suddenly entered the two boats, causing them to capsize. A local resident observed the unfortunate situation and informed the emergency services.

Towels instead of a hospital
Five fire departments arrived, some with boats. One man was able to swim to shore himself, while the other three were rescued from the 16-degree water by firefighters.

All of them were uninjured during the unintentional swim and only needed towels and dry clothes.