MONROE — Dozens of emergency responders from Franklin and Berkshire counties helped rescue a kayaker unharmed from the Deerfield River after her kayak capsized on Monday afternoon.

The rescued kayaker, a 19-year-old woman, was part of a four-person group that departed from Monroe Bridge, according to Rowe’s interim Fire Chief Douglas Annear. At around 1:30 p.m., dispatchers received a call from the group reporting that one of the kayakers was missing.

Several area fire departments and response teams responded, stationed at the Dunbar Brook Picnic Area and quickly located the woman, who was stranded on a small island just upstream, according to Annear. By around 3:15 p.m., emergency personnel brought her to shore using ropes.

The woman, who was alert and talking upon being located, according to rescuers, sustained no injuries and declined medical attention.

According to Rowe Police Chief Julie Shippee, all four kayakers in the group were instructors at Zoar Outdoor. The excursion was not, however, a sanctioned event, according to Annear and Janet Cowie, the resort’s general manager.

“In this area, we’re used to working on the river, so I’ve seen them work together really well, but this was not a Zoar event,” Cowie said of the four kayakers, who declined to comment at the scene.

Responding agencies included the Northfield Dive and Rescue Team, Western Massachusetts Regional Technical Rescue Team, Massachusetts Environmental Police and fire departments from Monroe, Rowe, Charlemont, Conway and Florida.

“All the search and rescue teams responded quickly and did a fine job,” Cowie said.

The Deerfield River had swelled due to heavy rains and experienced a high rate of flow on Monday. Annear opined that kayaking in such conditions is unadvisable.

“I think people should respect what they’ve got for river flows here,” he said. “They really shouldn’t have been on the river today.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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