Updated Wednesday evening:
Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the St. George boat ramp shortly before 4:30 p.m. Saturday for a report of a female being swept down river. When Deputies arrived, witnesses said that a row boat, occupied by three people, capsized after it hit a low-hanging branch. All three occupants jumped out of the boat and one of them knocked Latrice Douglas (27) of Manhattan off of her raft. She didn’t know how to swim and was swept down river. She was eventually pulled from the water by Gabriel Colwell (24) of Manhattan.
Deputies also learned that three men in a kayak were stranded about a 1/2 mile to the west of the boat ramp. Jonathan White (25) and Anthony Conforti (23), both from Manhattan, and Christopher Guilbeau (23) of Junction City, were stranded after their kayak got stuck in some trees along the bank. White reportedly struck his head on a log and thought he sustained a concussion. All three men were able to climb the bank and walk to emergency units that were responding to the scene.
White and Douglas were transported to the hospital by Pottawatomie County EMS for treatment.
Alcohol was involved and no-one was wearing life-jackets.
Agencies involved in these operations were: The Manhattan Fire Department Water Rescue, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office, The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Saint George Fire Department and Pottawatomie County EMS.
Updated Wednesday morning:
More information has been released regarding a weekend water rescue in Pottawatomie County. Sheriff Greg Riat identifies three of those involved in the rescue neat the St. George boat ramp as Jonathan White, 25, ans Anthony Conforti, 23, both from Manhattan, and Christopher Guilbeau, 23, from Junction City.
As earlier reported emergency crews responded to the boat ramp shortly before 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
(earlier reports follow)
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office received two reports of individuals needing assistance on the Kansas River near the St.George Boat Ramp Saturday.
At around 4:24pm, Deputies were dispatched to the St. George boat ramp for a report of a female being swept down river. Deputies were told there were three people upstream about 1/2 mile to the west of the boat ramp who had gotten stuck in some trees and were stranded. A fourth person had reportedly fallen off a raft after a boat struck a low hanging branch and partially sank forcing the three other people on the boat to jump off. That person was rescued by another member of the boating party. The three people stranded upstream were able to climb the bank to safety. According to the sheriff’s department news release, they walked to emergency units that were responding to the scene. Two subjects were transported by Pottawatomie County EMS.
At approximately 7:10 p.m. deputies were again dispatched to the St George boat ramp for a capsized boat with people in the water. The St. George Fire Department and Pottawatomie County EMS were also dispatched. Most of the people were able to get to shore. LT Chris Schmidt was able to throw a rope line and help pull one person from the water. One patient was checked for possible injuries but no subjects were transported by EMS.
Agencies involved in these operations were: The Manhattan Fire Department Water Rescue, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office, The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Saint George Fire Department and Pottawatomie County EMS.
With the recent heavy rainfall in the area, water levels at area rivers and lakes are higher than normal. The sheriff’s office reminds us this leads to faster moving water and an increase in unseen or underwater debris, such as tree limbs, that can damage watercraft and cause injuries.
The news release adds: Even experienced boaters need to be aware that current water conditions can become dangerous very quickly and precautions need to be taken for everyone’s safety. Persons wishing to use the river for recreational purposes should consider the hazards that exist with high and fast moving water, in addition the danger caused to the rescue personal going onto the water to rescue the victims.
