14 teens, adults rescued from South Jersey river

SHAMONG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WPVI) -- A group of kayakers, including 10 juveniles, was rescued Saturday after becoming stranded by obstructions along the Batsto River in Wharton State Forest, according to state officials.

New Jersey State Park Police, with assistance from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and local emergency agencies, responded to the incident and helped rescue the group.

Officials said the group included 10 kayakers between the ages of 14 and 17 and four accompanying adults. While on the river, they encountered obstructions that prevented them from continuing downstream and left them unable to proceed.

Emergency crews established operations at the Atsion Ranger Station as responders coordinated access through the wooded terrain and assisted the group from the river.

Initial radio reports from emergency dispatch traffic indicated multiple patients were being assessed at a triage area as crews worked to account for all members of the group and transport them from remote sections of the forest.

At least two juveniles were evaluated for possible hypothermia due to rainy weather conditions during the outing, officials said. No life-threatening injuries were reported.