Unionville volunteer firefighters assist a 14-year-old boy on the Route 528 boat launch at Moraine State Park moments after the teen was rescued Friday morning from a wind-swept boat on Lake Arthur as he was preparing to go duck hunting with his father. Park employees used their own boat (right) to reach the stranded boy and return him to shore.

FRANKLIN TWP — A 14-year-old boy's first time ever duck hunting will be one he will likely never forget — although it didn't go quite as planned.

The Westmoreland County teenager had to be rescued Friday morning when gusty winds caused his aluminum boat to break loose from its tether on the Route 528 boat launch.

The gas-powered boat shortly before 7 a.m. was blown out onto Lake Arthur, eventually leaving the youth hundreds of yards from shore without a paddle and without the experience to know what to do.

“He had no way to get back on his own,” said John Cinko of Greensburg, the boy's father.

Emergency crews were called out, but park maintenance employees ended up taking out their own boat and rescuing the teen, who was uninjured.

Read more in Sunday's Butler Eagle.