Boat launch goes awry

Waves began lapping at a stalled pickup truck the evening of May 16 after a man tried to launch his boat near Newport Pier.

The stranded boater was waiting for a friend to come help him when a fire engine drove past, lifeguard Battalion Chief Rob Williams said.

The man flagged down the crew, which had been responding to another call nearby.

With help from construction equipment, the Police and Fire departments helped recover the stalled pickup, which suffered moderate damage, and the boat, Williams said.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall