Monday, May 11, 2009

Wilson County Emergency responders were called to the scene of an apparent drowning Saturday evening at Middle Dam near Neodesha on Fall River. Greg Fisher, age 30, of Yates Center, was with a group of three other people when he reportedly fell into the water at about 7 pm.

Personnel from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department, Neodesha Police and Fire, Fredonia Fire, and Wilson County Rural Fire searched the river unsuccessfully Saturday evening and Sunday.

According to Wilson County Sheriff Dan Bath, search efforts have been hampered by the high and fast-moving water in the river, which is higher than usual because of the recent heavy rain. The gates at Fall River Reservoir were closed at about 8 pm Saturday evening, but it takes 24 hours or more to affect the water level so far downstream. Water levels on the river dropped nearly two feet by Monday morning, and the rescue workers continuing the search are hopeful that Fisher will be found today.

Divers from the Neodesha Fire Department, with assistance from the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife, have been in the water all morning, searching the area immediately under the dam, where there are holes and cutouts where previous drowning victims have most often been recovered. However, the divers have been unable to locate Fisher as of noon on Monday. Since the cold water limits the length of time divers can spend in the water, additional swift water rescue teams may be called in Monday afternoon to help with the search.