By PETE BANDA 
STAFF WRITER
REPORTER@SBNEWSPAPER.COM
A near tragedy was avoided in Harlingen Sunday evening when the San Benito Fire Department had to be called in to rescue a couple after their kayak capsized while floating down the Arroyo Colorado. The accident left one man stranded on a small island in the middle of streaming waters, with first responders spending several minutes just looking for the individual.
According to Lieutenant Ramon Martinez, the San Benito Fire Department had to be called to the scene due to the City of Harlingen not having a rescue boat of its own. “We have a mutual aid contract in order for the county to have assets in different cities and we do have a rescue boat,” said Martinez.
Originally, the Harlingen Fire Department had responded to a call at 7:45 p.m. Sunday to assist two kayakers who had fallen into the water between McKelvey Park and the old railroad bridge over the Arroyo. Since Harlingen is not one of the cities assigned with a rescue boat, they had to call in firefighters from San Benito who said this is not the first time their services have been required.
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