HARRISON, Ark. — On May 19, the dispatch center at the Buffalo National River was notified of a possible drowning in the upper area of the river near Carver.
According to reports, 69-year-old Judy Henderson-Bailey of Topeka, Kansas was floating in a private kayak when it overturned after striking a tree in the river.
Members of her floating party tried to pull her out from under a submerged tree but were unsuccessful. She was not wearing a life jacket at the time.
The Buffalo National River offers a loaner life jacket program, and you can borrow one from the Steel Creek Ranger Station, Tyler Bend Visitor Center, or Buffalo Point Ranger Station. Call (870) 439-2502 to learn more.
The river level in this location was “low” at the time of this incident. To view current river levels, please click here.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Hasty Volunteer Fire Department also responded to this incident.