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Stranded camper near Carrollton rescued by Coast Guard amid rising waters

Posted at 9:42 AM, Mar 17, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-17 09:42:13-04

A 33-year-old man was rescued by the US Coast Guard on Monday morning after he became stranded while camping on Ragged Island near Carrollton.

Anthony Gontarz called 911 dispatch as weather worsened and the rising tide stranded him on the island where he was camping.

Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department crews dispatched a boat crew but were unable to rescue Gontarz due to his location and weather conditions.

Fire Department personnel contacted the Coast Guard around 1:30 a.m. and asked for helicopter assistance.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City was dispatched and arrived on scene at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Gontarz was hoisted onto the helicopter and taken to a safe landing zone where he was transported to an awaiting ambulance and taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News.

He was reported to be in good condition.