Lost jogger rescued from chest-high mud in former lake in Smithtown

A jogger called 911 at 12:10 p.m. to report he was lost in the park and stuck in chest-high mud in the former lake. The man’s dog wandered onto the mud and as the man was attempting to retrieve the dog, he began to sink. Fourth Precinct officers, Emergency Service Section officers and Aviation Section officers responded.

Aviation Section officers located the man less than 30 minutes later and hovered over the area until officers on the ground reached him. Fourth Precinct Sergeant Katherine Kuzminski and Fourth Precinct Officer Richard Esposito entered the mud and attempted to pull out the man. After several minutes, Officer Esposito successfully pulled him to shore and placed him in his police vehicle to warm him to avoid hypothermia.

The jogger, Kyle Prato, 24, of Medford, was treated at the scene by members of the Nissequogue and Town of Smithtown Fire Departments. His dog, an Australian Shepherd named Stryker, was unharmed.