A Kansas woman has died following a floating accident on Buffalo National River last weekend near Carver.
According to a press release from the National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior, on Sunday at approximately 5 in the evening, dispatch was notified of a possible drowning in the upper district of the river near Carver. Authorities say the victim, identified as 69-year-old Judy Henderson-Bailey of Topeka, Ks., was floating in a private kayak when she overturned after striking a tree in the river channel. After overturning, Henderson-Bailey was pulled under a submerged tree.
Members of Henderson-Bailey’s floating party tried to pull her from the water, but was unsuccessful. She was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time of the incident.
Authorities say the river level in this location was “low” at the time of the incident.
Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hasty Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the incident.
Currents, down trees and underwater obstructions exist in rivers and creeks, which can make paddling more challenging. Buffalo National River offers a loaner life jacket program where visitors may borrow a life jacket from the Steel Creek Ranger Station, Tyler Bend Visitor Center or Buffalo Point Ranger Station. For more information, call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502.
To report an emergency call 911 or the park’s 24-hour dispatch center at 888-692-1162.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI