At approximately 1900 on 4/3/09, Douglas County dispatch received a call from a stranded kayaker off Bloomington at Clinton Lake.  Subject was Operator 1. He had been in a single kayak and was paddling with a friend, Operator 2, who was also in a single kayak.  The subjects had launched from the state park at boat ramp 3 and had paddled across the Wakarusa arm of the lake to the Bloomington area.  The subjects were returning to ramp 3 entering the wind swept portion of the Wakarusa arm when a series of waves swamped the vessel of Operator 2.  Operator 2 bailed out of the vessel and was unable to empty the water.  Operator 2 then tried to board Operator 1 vessel swamping it with water.  Operator 2, who has a prosthetic limb stayed with his vessel and Operator 1 swam approximately 200 yards to boat ramp 4 at Bloomington.  Operator 1 waved down a vehicle in the parking lot and summoned emergency personnel. Clinton Township fire arrived and made contact with Operator 1 who did not require medical attention and suffered no injuries.  NRO arrived and was given an approximate last known location of Operator 2.  NRO was able to make access to the wildlife area near the COE group campground and located Operator 2 at the lakes edge.  Operator 2 had drifted holding onto the swamped vessel for a distance of approximately one mile.  Operator 2 had a prosthetic leg and was unable to leave the water with assistance.  Lawrence Fire launched two vessels and were directed to Operator 2 by NRO Henrichs.  Operator 2 was then taken by boat to an ambulance and then driven to Lawrence Memorial where he was treated and released for hypothermia.  Operator 1 and the vessels were returned to the state park with the assistance of DGSO Deputy.
Lawrence                      