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Shankweiler, who was attempting to retrieve a crashed drone for fall photos, admitted that his determination led to reckless decisions. "I thought it would be a simple task to retrieve it and borrowed a friend’s kayak," he explained. "I will tell you that it was reckless and a bad idea, but sometimes my determination gets the best of me."
After launching, the river conditions quickly turned against him. "The wind was blowing me out to the middle, the current was strong, and the water was so shallow I was unable to paddle. When I got to [the pier], I hit the rock pretty hard, which I think cracked or bruised one of my ribs," he said.
Stranded for hours, he considered his options but knew the risks were high. "I thought about walking across, but I could tell it was at least waist-deep where I was, and I could see how strong the current was," he explained. "I probably would’ve slipped or fallen into the water and gone hypothermic before I made it to shore."
Shankweiler credited first responders for their professionalism and efficiency. "I cannot say enough about the first responders, their professionalism, and confidence in what they were doing. They had the right equipment for the job, including the EMTs," he said.
Despite his injuries, which included a sore rib, dehydration, and high blood pressure, Shankweiler expressed gratitude and a lesson learned. "If anybody thinks that they can walk across that river without the right equipment, especially in this cold weather, I would not recommend it."
Rescue Fire Company #37 and Duncannon Fire Company were instrumental in the rescue, eventually reaching Shankweiler despite low water levels. He plans to visit the responders during the holidays to thank them personally, adding, "I cannot thank you enough."
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