Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating three men who were stranded while kayaking in the Patoka River. (Dubois County)
On Sunday, May 7, at approximately 5:20 pmÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ, Brandon M. Jochim, 18, of Jasper, Nicholas C. Day, 18, of Jasper, and Seth L. Hill, 18, of Jasper, were kayaking in the Patoka River downstream of County Road 300 North in Dubois County. Â One of the kayaks overturned upon hitting a low lying limb at water level.
The individual who overturned his kayak advised it was his first time kayaking. The area of the Patoka River that the men were in was flooded with a strong current. All three individuals became stranded in the water with only two kayaks left for them to hold on to. The third kayak drifted downstream in the current. The boys were stranded in the water for approximately 1.5 hours, and were not wearing life jackets.  Conservation Officers Kyle Hembree, Jonathan Watkins, Logan Hodges, and Tony Mann were able to rescue the boys from the water by jon boat. They were met with an ambulance and transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital.  There were no major injuries sustained from the incident.
Responding agencies included Indiana Conservation Officers, Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Jasper Police Department, Jasper Fire Department, and Life Flight of Evansville.
Indiana Conservation Officers strongly encourage the use of life jackets while enjoying any activity out on the water.
