Advertisement

Capsized kayaker had Charlie Brown cutout

Good grief, even during the Christmas season Charlie Brown can't catch a break.

By Ben Hooper
The Charlie Brown balloon floats down the parade route at the Macy's 86th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 22, 2012. File Photo John Angelillo/UPI
The Charlie Brown balloon floats down the parade route at the Macy's 86th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 22, 2012. File Photo John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

EASTHAMPTON, Mass., Dec. 25 (UPI) -- A kayaker rescued by Massachusetts firefighters may have been attempting to install a Charlie Brown cutout on a Christmas tree raft, the fire chief said.

Easthampton Fire Chief David Mottor said the man, who was found Monday clinging to the raft that holds a Christmas tree in the middle of Nashawannuck Pond, had a 3-foot-tall cutout of the Peanuts character in the kayak that was later recovered by firefighters.

Advertisement

Mottor said the man may have been attempting to install the cutout alongside the tree when his boat capsized.

"I can see what his intent was, but a practical joke isn't worth losing your life over," Mottor told the Hampshire Daily Gazette.

Authorities said the 48-year-old man is believed to have been in the water for about 30 minutes. Mottor estimated the water temperature was in the low 40s, "cold enough to cause hypothermia."

The man was hospitalized with symptoms of hypothermia that authorities said are not believed to be life-threatening. Police said they are not seeking charges as it does not appear any crime was committed.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines