Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Southold Man Rescued From Bay After Falling Overboard

Boater was thrown from an 18-foot skiff while testing a new motor in Southold Bay.

Matthew Larson, 23, of Southold was rescued from the chilly waters of Southold Bay after he was thrown overboard while testing a new motor on his small boat shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday near in Southold, police said.

Authorities responded to a call of a runaway 18-foot skiff with an outboard motor circling in the water without an occupant, according to an email alert from the Breaking News Network. Members of the , and responded to the scene.

Larson had been in the water for about 10 minutes before a passing boater picked him up and took him to Founders Landing, where he was treated and released by members of the Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad, police said.

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Southold Fire Department Assistant Chief Bill Byrnes, who was at the scene, said that Larson seemed to be all right.

"I think the biggest thing for him will be warming up," he said.

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The boat, which according to Byrnes was circling probably because the throttle was locked after Larson fell into the water, eventually ran aground and was taken out of the bay.


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