The Ames Fire Department was called out early Friday evening to an area along the South Skunk River after a kayak capsized along the river, leaving a woman stranded.

Shortly before 6:00 p.m., Ames fire crews  responded to 725 East 13th Street on the city’s northeast side.

An initial investigation revealed that the kayaker had capsized in the rapids at the low head dam area and lost her paddle.  She then made her way to a rock ridge in the center of the waterway.

The kayaker was not injured, but had no way to re-board her kayak and cross the river.

Crews were able to get a rope to the victim , who was wearing a personal flotation device for safety.  Firefighters entered the water in an inflatable water rescue craft to reach the kayaker.

They were able to maneuver to the woman and ferry her safely to shore.

The crew sthen returned ot the water to free the kayak, which had become wedged in the rock rapids.

After freeing the kayak, it floated downstream where it was retrieved by the kayaker’s partner and both the kayak and the second kayaker returned to shore.