The Bartholomew County Water Rescue Team helped two Seymour residents to safety Sunday afternoon after their canoe swamped in sand and logs in the middle of the Driftwood River.

The stranded pair, Brittney Engleking, 24, and Ronald Thompson, 25, were not injured but told their rescuers they were thirsty as they were taken from the sandbar.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department deputies and the rescue team initially were called to the area south of Heflin Park after receiving a report that two people were stranded and calling for help.

A Columbus man reported he and his girlfriend were canoeing with Engleking and Thompson when their canoe was swamped. The Columbus man told police he thought the Seymour pair could get underway on their own, so he and his girlfriend kept going.

About an hour later, that man learned from kayakers that his friends were calling for help, and he called police.

Capt. Dave Steinkoenig said in a news release that water levels are high and currents are stronger, meaning people need to be prepared for water emergencies while doing recreational boating.