RUMFORD – A pair of kayakers managed to get themselves to shore after overturning their boats on the Androscoggin River on Monday night.

Both were treated for hypothermia at Rumford Hospital and released, according to police Sgt. David Bean.

Robert Farrington, 48, and Rosalie Farrington, 47, both of Rumford, were kayaking on a backwater of the river known as the Logan area near South Rumford Road, Bean said. The pair decided to venture out into the main river at some point and Rosalie Farrington lost control of her kayak in a strong current. In attempting to help her Robert Farrington also lost control of his kayak and had to abandon it. Rosalie was able to regain control of her boat and make it to shore and waved down help. Robert Farrington also made it to shore but was first reported as being unconscious when the call came in for help at 7:06 p.m. Bean said.

The Rumford Fire Department aided the pair and were already wrapping the couple in blankets when Bean arrived two minutes after the call came in, Bean said.

Bean said it was unclear whether the boaters were actually wearing their life jackets.

“Both did have floatation devices but whether they took them off after they got to shore or not – I’m uncertain but they did have them and used them,” Bean said.

One of the couple’s kayaks was swept downstream and over the series of three falls that cuts through Rumford. It wasn’t known if the kayak was recovered or not, Bean said.

With the water temperature cold and the strength of the current, Bean said he believes the floatation devices played a major factor in the couple surviving the mishap. “I can’t imagine they would have ever made it out without that,” Bean said.

The area has steadily become more and more popular for canoes and kayaks over the years, Bean said.

Bean also said he was unsure of the relationship between Rosalie and Robert. They had different addresses on the same street in Rumford, he noted.

Attempts to reach the couple for comment Tuesday were not immediately successful.