Kayaker rescued from White River

NOBLESVILLE — A Hamilton County woman was rescued from the White River today after her kayak crashed into a downed tree in the water.

About 1:50 p.m. Noblesville firefighters were called to Potters Bridge about a woman clinging to a tree in the White River, Noblesville Fire Department Division Chief Rick Russell said.

The woman, identified as Sherry Fleener of Sheridan, told firefighters that the river current pushed her kayak into a tree, causing the kayak to turn to the side and go underwater, Russell said.

Fleener, who was not wearing a life jacket, was separated from her kayak.

Russell said firefighters attempted to throw floating ropes and other flotation devices to Fleener, but she was too far away from shore.

Fleener yelled out that she could no longer hold onto the tree and that she was getting weak, Russell said.

Noblesville Fire Department Lt. Jim Trietsch, wearing a personal floatation device, then got into the water and floated to Fleener, Russell said. Once Trietsch had a hold of Fleener, the two of them let go of the tree and floated to a kayak that carried them to shore.

Fleener was not injured during the rescue.

This is the second straight day that residents out enjoying White River had to be rescued from the body of water.

On Saturday afternoon, a good Samaritan jumped into a swollen river and saved a mother and her young child from drowning, officials said.

The unidentified mother and her two children were playing on the riverbank near Potter's Bridge about 1:20 p.m. Saturday when one child fell into the river. The mother and the other child jumped into the river to save the child.

The mother and one of the children began floating downstream when David Norton, Cicero, leaped into the river and pulled them safely to shore.

Call Star reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.