Swatara kayakers caught in storm; one reported unresponsive

A sudden afternoon thunderstorm with torrential rains swept through Lebanon County on Saturday afternoon stranding numerous kayakers along Swatara Creek in Jonestown, with one possibly becoming a drowning victim. 

The Lebanon County Emergency Management Agency responded to reports of a possible drowning victim and stranded kayakers at about 4:40 p.m. EMA reports indicated a person was taken out of the water and CPR was being administered, state police said

"An unresponsive man was pulled from the water and he was taken by ambulance to the closest hospital," confirmed Cpl. Nathan Trate, who could provide no other details.

Several other kayakers were stranded and needed assistance to reach the shore where they were assisted by a water rescue team from Fort Indiantown Gap.

The group, made up of men and women, gathered under the bridge on Jonestown Road next to their colorful kayaks, where they were each questioned by state troopers.

Obviously shaken, none of the survivors wanted to speak about their ordeal.

One man who said he was from Annville, said the group had formed as they floated down the muddy-colored creek on what started out a sweltering summer's day. He said he didn't know the victim but he had been floating with them.

"We did all we could," he said.

The first reports of kayakers in trouble came about 3:45 p.m. Crews from Jonestown, Bunker Hill, Ono and Fort Indiantown Gap fire companies along with a First Aid & Safety Patrol ambulance were dispatched for a water rescue in the area of Supreme Mid-Atlantic and the Jonestown Dam. 

Initial reports from the scene indicated there were as many as 14 kayakers and that all were accounted for. The box was put back in service by EMA at 4:09 p.m.

But then came reports about 30 minutes later of a possible drowning victim in the same area.

The identity of that individual or his condition were not known on Saturday evening.