On 9/29/12 at approximately 11:00am,  Operator met Subject1 and Subject2 at the 600 N. bridge crossing the Little Wabash River 1/2 mile south of Emma, IL.  Subject1 brought an extra kayak for Operator to use.  Subject1 stated, Subject2, Operator and himself all shared smoking a marijuana joint under the bridge before they left.  All three then got into their own kayak and began heading down river.  At approximately 12:30pm, Subject1 first navigated around a log jam at a bend in the river, followed by Subject2.  Subject2 stated he felt Operator kayak hit the back of his kayak and when Subject2 turned around Operator was not there.  Subject1 stated Operator kayak was pushed by the strong current up against the log jam and caused his kayak to roll.  The strong current then swept Operator under the log jam.  Both Subject1 and Subject2 stated they observed Operator hand come up between the logs but they could not get to him.  Subject1 called 911 at 12:33pm.

I CPO arrived on scene at approximately 1:15pm.  Subject1 and Subject2 were on the bank next to the log jam when they were giving directions to Illinois State Police dispatch.  After searching by land for several minutes Subject2 walked out to the location of our sirens.  Subject2 stated Subject1 could not walk out due to a previous back injury.  I drove around to a different corn field and found my way to Subject1.  Subject1 and I marked the location where he last saw Operator.  I brought Subject1 out and we met CPO who had Subject2 with him.  We relocated to a private boat ramp and met with CPO who arrived with a boat and sonar equipment.  Subject2 went with us in the boat to locate where he last saw Operator.  We marked the location and began to search for Operator.  Due to the strong current and amount of debris in the river it was difficult to locate Operator.  At 4:35pm we located Operator kayak 1 mile down river.  Operator family began to arrive and we stationed the family on 600 N. by the bridge.  Every hour we made contact with the family and gave an update.  CPO and Sgt. also arrived to help with the sonar search.  

On 9/30/12, Black Township Fire Dept. (Indiana Dive Team), and I searched with sonar and drag bars.  We were unable to locate Operator.  I returned Operator kayak to Subject1 at his residence.

On 10/02/12 at approximately 9:10am, CPO spotted Operator 200 feet down river from the log jam. Operator was found floating against the bank.  (White County Coroner) was notified and arrived at 10:42am.  Black Township Fire Dept. (Indiana Dive Team) delivered Operator to the boat ramp and coroner took possession of the body.  Cpt. notified the family of the recovery. 

Drowning is the cause of death (pending coroner''s report). The kayak struck a log jam and capsized causing Operator to enter the water and drown.  Strong current and large amounts of debris are contributing factors as well as operator inexperience.  Subject1 stated all three smoked a marijuana joint shortly before accident (toxicology report pending).  Also, Operator had a life jacket attached to the kayak but was not wearing it.  A supplemental report containing the coroner''s report and toxicology report will be completed when they become available.
Emma                          