NICKERSON, Kan. – One of the victims of a canoe accident on the Arkansas River has died as a result.

Jerry Patton of Hutchinson was canoeing on the Arkansas River with his son, 38-year-old Justin Patton, and his two granddaughters, ages 12 and 10. They had two canoes that capsized in the area of 30th & Dean Road.

Jerry Patton struggled in the water and was having difficulty breathing. Rescue personnel had difficulty reaching the location where the canoe capsized because of mud issues. A helicopter was able to remove Jerry from the scene. He was pronounced dead in Wichita around 3 p.m.

The four had put their canoes in the water at 8 a.m. Friday in anticipation of being picked up at F and Monroe later in the morning. After four and a half hours, family members became concerned and requested a welfare check. Shortly after the welfare check was put out, 911 Dispatch received a call from Justin Patton that they had been in the canoe. He reported that the canoes had capsized. He reported that he had to walk to a field and contact an individual with a phone since all of their phones were disabled by the water.

Fire, EMS and Reno County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and were unable to drive into the area of the river due to mud and had to walk in over about a quarter of a mile to the victim. A Lifeteam Helicopter was requested and the individual was flown to a hospital in Wichita.

Sheriff Randy Henderson said in a news release that, without an emergency declaration, law enforcement cannot keep persons out of the swift moving water. However, Sheriff Henderson says, “Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Office is recommending that persons stay out of flooded areas with swift moving water due to submerged debris and other hazards.”