Kayaker who drowned at Lincoln Woods State Park identified as Cranston man, 40
LINCOLN — A man fishing from a kayak died Saturday afternoon when the boat overturned in 15 feet of water in Lincoln Woods State Park, according to the state Department of Environmental Management, which runs the park.
The DEM identified him Sunday as Jason Robinson, 40, of Cranston.
Two witnesses saw Robinson go in the water at about 3:05 p.m., according to DEM spokesman Michael J. Healey
First responders from several communities set up bases on both sides of Olney Pond and sent dive teams out on boats to search for the missing man.
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They recovered him at about 4:50 p.m. It took four divers to lift him out of the water. They did not appear to perform CPR once he was in a Smithfield Fire Department boat.
A fishing pole and other fishing gear were found in or near the man's kayak, Healey said. He was found without a life jacket.
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The man was found about 50 feet from shore in a cove on the north end of the pond, between a peninsula with several popular picnic sites and another one with a prominent rock outcrop that can be seen across the pond from the swim beach.
Crews from Lincoln, Cumberland, Smithfield, North Providence and DEM's Environmental Police, lifeguards and rangers took part in the search.
"Our hearts go out to the victim's family and friends," Healey said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Kayaker drowns at Lincoln Woods State Park in Rhode Island
