HUTCHINSON, Kan. – At around 3:25 p.m. Saturday, the Hutchinson Fire Department responded to the area of Avenue F and Monroe for a water rescue.
Additional information provided by dispatch reported three individuals in the water hanging onto a tree. Fire and Reno County Sherriff department officials worked to locate the individuals. They were located approximately a quarter mile west of Cow Creek and the Arkansas River. All three individuals were rescued by boat and were brought to shore safely to a waiting Reno County EMS unit.
In addition, HFD crews prepared numerous technical rescue rope deployments downstream to provide safety for the victims and rescuers. All victims were evaluated and refused any further treatment. The three male individuals ranging in age from 17 to 19 started a float trip at Fun Valley on the Arkansas River approximately one hour prior to fire officials being notified.
During the trip, the individuals lost their inflatable floats while floating down the river. At that time, all with limited swimming abilities, were able to cling onto a tree that had previous fallen into the water. None of the individuals had life jackets on them or with them.
Chief Steven Beer states “no matter how good a swimmer you are, you never know what will happen when you’re swimming, rafting or boating, wear your life jacket at all times.”