Missing Milford Kayaker Search Still Ongoing

Search and rescue teams from area police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard continued through Sunday evening looking for a missing kayaker, as computer models relayed a 17- to 27.9-hour window of survivability based on water temperatures, Fire Capt. Chris Zak said.

Two people were thrown into the water from their kayak early Sunday. One of the men, identified by U.S. Coast Guard officials as John Ferraro, was able to defy the odds and swim to land, but the other man, identified as Michael Krupa, 22, of Middletown, remained missing. Officials did not have an age or hometown for Ferraro.

Zak said that at 4:42 a.m. Sunday the department’s emergency operations center received a 911 cell phone call reporting a person in the water. Fire officials later learned that two people were in the kayak when it flipped over and were unable to get back into the boat.

Zak said both of the kayakers began to swim toward anchored boats, and one man was able to swim to Charles Island, where he found a boat and woke up the people who were on board. Fire officials did not release the identity of the kayakers.

When firefighters arrived, the man was suffering from hypothermia because of the prolonged time in the water, and he is currently at an area hospital in guarded condition.

The man did not have a flotation device on, Zak said. A Coast Guard helicopter and boat, along with Milford fire and police, Stratford and West Haven fire personnel, searched all day and into the evening for the second kayaker, Zak said.

Beachgoers who basked at Silver Sands State Park Sunday watched the rescue operation with interest.

Bob Gabris of Naugatuck sat on the shore Sunday afternoon, staring out across the water.

“We came down here to walk on the beach and relax, and we picked a bad day, because somebody lost their life,” he said.

Gabris hadn’t heard about the accident before coming to the beach, but immediately knew something was wrong when he saw the helicopter. “One or two people go down every year between here and Stratford,” he said. “Long Island Sound is very dangerous.”

Terry Ames of Waterbury stood out on the sandbar Sunday afternoon filming the scene. In the distance, emergency services boats surrounded Charles Island.

Ames said he comes to the beach several times a week to film nature. After seeing the news today, he knew he was in for a different scene.

“I couldn’t believe it when I turned the news on. I was here just yesterday,” he said. Ames said he was anxious to know who the missing boater was, as he knows a lot of people in the area.

“There’s too many drownings this year, all over the place. Too many,” he said

Zak said they were using sonar to try and locate the person. They found the kayak. Crews are searching between Silver Sands State Park and Walnut Beach.

A side scan sonar device was used by Milford Fire Department divers to try to ascertain if the individual was submerged. Fire department units also performed grid search patterns in Long Island Sound, and shore units were walking the beach areas.

Zak said it is somewhat remarkable that one of the kayakers was able to swim to Charles Island because it was very windy out and the currents are “very difficult” to navigate.

“He is very fortunate he did make it,” Zak said.

Zak also said once boaters position their vessel south of Charles Island, they are no longer protected by land, which allows the winds to pick up and make the waves treacherous.

Zak emphasized the importance of having a personal floatation device when using any type of water vessel, and the need to have a family member or friend know your destination and estimated return time.

A detailed plan outlining the departure location, destination, identity of people on the vessel and expected return time can assist rescue workers in locating those lost in an emergency, officials said.

By Brian McCready, Milford

Police Seeking Missing Teen

MILFORD — Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a 14-year-old city girl who has not been seen since Sunday.

The teen, Maria Iabone, shown, is described as a white, 5 feet 3 inches tall and about 115 lbs. She has long brown hair, brown eyes, and is wearing braces. She was last seen wearing leopard print tank top, dark colored sweatshirt, and jeans, police said.

Maria is possibly in the company of Nicholas Thiel, 18, who operates a 1998 green Chevy Camaro, bearing the Connecticut temporary plate 448K6, police said. Maria was last seen Friday at her home in Milford. Police did not provide the location of the home. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Sgt. A. Vitti at the Milford Police Department Special Investigations Unit, (203) 878-6551 or 783-4766.
posted by Helen Bennett Harvey

Owner Distraught Over Missing Dog

When resident Kellie Roper brought her pet greyhound to Companion Animal Hospital of Milford on Dec. 29, she never expected she would be going home alone.
Roper adopted Finnley Nov. 1 from ReGap CT, a rescue group, and brought the dog to the animal hospital for dental work.

"When I first called to make an appointment for Finnley I asked if they knew how to handle a greyhound. They said ‘yes’ they did," Roper said. "Apparently they don’t."
She has not seen Finnley since that day.

Despite some sightings of Finnley in the Walnut Beach area, a widespread search and newspaper advertisements the animal hospital placed, the animal has not turned up.
"People I have never met have come from 1½ hours away, scrambling through brush and forest helping me look for my dog," Roper said.

"People in Milford have amazed me calling with wishes and prayers. It’s nice to know there is still such generosity left in the world," she said.

Roper said Finnley is black, with a gray muzzle, weighs 54 pounds and wears a pink/purple collar with yellow bones on it and might be dragging a leash. Roper also said the greyhound has a REGAP of CT tag, and that the dog is shy but extremely friendly and loves the sound of children.

Roper said she was told by hospital owner Dr. Kenneth Preli that veterinarian Dr. Dave Champaigne took Finnley outside after the Dec. 29 dental work."He said she became tangled in her leash and when (Champaigne) went to untangle her he dropped the leash and she bolted," Roper said.

Hospital administrator Rona Preli said when Champaigne went to pick up the leash Finnley "was probably disoriented." "I was told he chased her into the K-Mart lot and jumped in a stranger’s car to try and follow her. He borrowed a cell phone and called the office and they evacuated the office and went looking for her," Roper said.

Rona Preli said eight of the office staff of 10 people immediately left to look for the greyhound and searched until 8 p.m. that night and for the next four days. Since then, she said, staff have continued to canvass the area, putting up fliers and talking to people. Roper said the greyhound community, as well as the Milford community, have been extremely helpful, finding time to help her repeatedly canvass the beach area and put up fliers everywhere.

Rona Preli said the hospital contacted area police and fire departments and animal control officials. Roper said Milford Animal Control, which has increased patrols in the vicinity Finnley has been seen, has been "truly amazing."

Roper said before the dog was lost, Finnley had changed her life.
"She has made me take a step back from work stress and Ironman training. She has made me relax. She has been a wonderful stress reliever," Roper said.
Anyone with information on Finnley can reach Roper at (203) 506-4790.

Bridget Albert

This dog is very shy and will shy away from strangers, the search still goes on as flyers were being handed out at Stop & Shop as early as this weekend.