BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY,Ind. (July 4, 2015)–The Water Rescue Recovery team of Bartholomew County was called to Driftwood River near County Road 950 North on a report of a stranded kayaker Saturday.
Shortly after 5:30 p.,m. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office deployed their airboat at Heflin Park and headed north on the river. Just south of County Road 950 North, the airboat located kayaker Mike Smith, 44 of Camby, Indiana. Smith told the rescue crew his kayaking partner was stranded approximately one mile north of the bridge.
40-year-old Brandi Colman also of Camby, was located on the east bank of the river just south of where Sugar Creek enters the Driftwood River. Colman told officers she struck a tree in the river and her kayak capsized.
Authorities say Colman was not wearing a life jacket but managed to reach the river bank safely.
This is Bartholomew County’s second kayaking mishap in the past week.
