National Park Service Rangers responded to the call but failed to notify us of the accident; therefore all information in this report was gathered by NPS LE Specialist. 

According to the witness, she and the victim were kayaking upriver from Ozark Campground when they approached a large tree extending across the entire channel.  There were 2 "V's" or channels going to the tree and through the rapids. The "V"on the left side enters the rapids at an angle which would push a kayaker into the tree base. The "V" on the right side extends under the tree into branches touching the water (visually not an option for most boaters).  She stated the victim was "sucked into the tree", capsized and didn't "pop-out" of her kayak.  She reached the victim and tried to get her out but couldn't, so she attempted to hold the victim's head up and out of the water and noticed the victim's lens was knocked out of her glasses. Witness believes the victim hit her head because her PFD was not inflated.  After approx. 10 min. she noticed the victim was still unresponsive and foam was coming out of her mouth.  She managed to get V1 over close to the shore, but still couldn't get the victim out.  She knew other kayakers would be coming down soon so she waited for them to arrive to help.  After about 20 min. four people floated down and the witness flagged them down, 2 of them were able to remove the victim out of V1 and the other 2 went for help.  The victim didn't have a pulse, her lips were purple and her eyes were open and glazed.  Rangers responded to help and the coroner was called.
 
When asked about the victim's health the witness stated she had high blood pressure and had had hip surgery (a hip fusion).  She had to assist the victim in and out of her kayak but otherwise she was fine. She had special shoes to compensate for one of her legs being shorter and witnesses stated V1 was heavily and improperly loaded to compensate for the victim's hip to allow her to "ride" straight.
OZARK CAMPGROUND AREA