Kayaker rescued after saving a duck

By Michele Richinick, Globe Correspondent

Harwich firefighters rescued a kayaker who was waist-deep in mud after saving a duck yesterday afternoon, officials said.

Two kayakers on the Herring River saw a duck struggling in a muddy area with a clam shell stuck to its leg. The individuals saved the duck and were trying to bring it back to a safer area, but it escaped, said Scott Tyldesley of the Harwich fire department.

After rescuing the duck, one of the kayakers found himself stuck waist-deep in mud and was unable to break free. The fire department responded at 2:30 p.m., and was able to lift the man out of the mud, Tyldesley said.

The kayakers’ names were not released. There were no reported injuries to the people or the duck.