VIDEO: Man rescued after sinking waist-deep in mud while walking dog
A Long Island man found himself in a precarious situation Thursday when he sank waist-deep into mud while walking his dog in a park in Smithtown, New York.
Kyle Prato, 24, was with his 7-month-old Australian Shepherd, Stryker, when the dog bolted, chasing after a duck.
“My first step was up to my knees, and over 30 minutes, it was up to my waist,” Prato told .
He described the experience as "terrifying" and "incredibly cold" as he struggled to remain still to avoid sinking deeper into the mud of what remains of Stump Pond in Blydenburgh Park. The pond lost its water during a summer storm.
He ended up being in the mud for around 45 minutes.
Prato, who is a paramedic, managed to call a friend for help, saying, “Hey, I need you to come find me; I think I'm slipping into quicksand.” Unfortunately, his roommate, who was jogging nearby, lost cell service.
“I was just screaming his name as loud as I could at this point. I was very panicked,” said Abbey Popick, Prato's roommate.
Eventually, Prato called 911 for assistance. Firefighters and police used a helicopter to locate him.
Despite his warnings to the responding officer not to get too close, the officer lost his footing but ultimately managed to pull Prato out.
“I’m very grateful that he didn’t listen to me and came to help. He risked his life to help me,” Prato said.
After the event, Stryker received a bath and Prato learned about the dangers of winter mud.
“It’s similar to quicksand that we all saw in cartoons as kids; it’s going to hold you in, and you have no recourse of being able to get yourself out because it’s all around you,” said Dan Dongvort, Assistant Chief of the Smithtown Fire Department.
See more in the video player above.