Kansas woman drowns at Carver, Buffalo National River
HARRISON, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The National Park Services released that a dispatch responded to a possible drowning around 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19, where dispatchers found an overturned kayak in the upper district of the river near Carver.
Judy Henderson-Baily, 69, of Topeka Kansas, was recovered after it was found that she was on a private kayak that overturned after striking a tree in the river, the NPS said in a news release.
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“After turning over in the water, the female was pulled under a submerged tree. Members of her floating party tried to extract her but were unsuccessful,” the news release states.
The Buffalo National River dispatch found that she was not wearing a life jacket. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Hasty Volunteer Fire Department helped respond 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. You may borrow a life jacket from the Steel Creek Ranger Station, Tyler Bend Visitor Center, or Buffalo Point Ranger Station. Please call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502 to learn more,” the release states.
Visitors can check the river level on the Arkansas rivers on the USGS website.
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