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HARTFORD -- Rescuers pulled 22 people out of the Connecticut River after their dragon boat hit a train bridge and broke into two pieces between Hartford and East Hartford.
All the people on the boat were wearing life jackets and were unharmed in Tuesday evening's accident. One of the boaters, Bill Indoe, says the boat drifted into the bridge because of strong currents.
East Hartford and Hartford authorities were joined by other people who were boating on the river at the time in the rescue efforts.
The 22 boaters are employees of Hamilton Sundstrand who were practicing for the annual Riverfront Recapture Dragon Boat and Asian Festival. Authorities say everyone was out of the water within 20 minutes.
The actual race, now in its ninth year, will take place in Hartford on the weekend of August 15-16. About 1,300 paddlers are expected to participate, festival promoters say.
Other festival activities include Asian entertainment, martial arts demonstrations, a table tennis tournament, educational cultural booths, Asian cuisine, games for children and more.