On 4-7-11 this officer was advised of a boat (V1) reported to be floating without any occupants at White Oak Creek.  Once I arrived on scene, V1 could be seen on the east bank on a bluff line on the opposite side of an island from the boat ramp.  The entire White Oak Creek area is a shallow area which is a tributary to the Arkansas River.  When I approached V1, I could see the trolling motor was down and the front pedestal seat was in place.  Just to the south of V1 I could see the tip of a fishing pole sticking up out of the water.  When I approached the fishing pole, I could see the back of the victim just under the water.  The water was shallow (about 2 to 2.5 feet deep).  I brought his body into the boat; the victim's sunglasses were still on his face and there were no obvious abrasions on his head or hands and the shore line is rocky.  

The trolling motor was set on position 4 and his aerators were on after checking I found a few crappies in his live well.  There was no damage on his trolling motor and nothing out of place or suspicious in V1.  The victim's body was taken by the Franklin County Coroner and it will be taken to the State Medical Examiner to determine cause of death.  A BAC was also requested as required.  Inventory of V1 revealed a .410 bolt action shotgun in a rod box and a bottle of Vodka found under the driver's seat.

The Arkansas River flow was less than 300 CFS most of the day so there was no water affected back in White Oak Creek.

ME Report Pending.
MULBERRY                      