RedactedNarrative: On 8/22/2020, at approximately 1330, a vessel (kayak) overturned on the Missouri River resulting in the operator/victim drowning. 
  
  At one point during the float, the operator/victim of vessel #1 attempted to avoid a collision with a bridge piling by paddling towards the bank. An inter tube carrying Swimmer #2 was attached to vessel #1 by a rope. Vessel #1 avoided the bridge piling, but rough water near the piling caused it to overturn sending the operator/victim into the water. 
  
  Swimmer #2 was also sent into the water after vessel #1 and the inter tube she was in encountered the rough water. Swimmer #3 was in a second kayak downriver from vessel #1 when it overturned. 
  
  The operator/victim  of vessel #1 was not wearing a PFD (personal flotation device was inside vessel #1)and attempted to swim to shore, struggling to stay above the water’s surface. The operator/victim of vessel #1 was last seen above water approximately 50 feet below where he initially entered the water and was located deceased down river approximately 1 hour later. 
  
  An unknown factor in this accident is the swimming ability of  the operator/victim of vessel #1. An additional unknown factor is the effect the inter tube tied to vessel #1 had on the operator/victim's  ability  to maneuver the vessel to avoid obstacles and stay upright in rough water.    
  
  The rough water, age of the operator/victim (69 years old) and lack PFD use were likely the causes of this accident. The section of river where the accident occurred has deep and swift moving current along with obstacles such as bridge pilings creating hazardous conditions for anyone in the water. There was a Type 1 personal flotation device in vessel #1 when it overturned but the operator/victim was unable to utilize it. Swimmer #2 stated that the operator/victim of vessel #1 was having a hard time swimming in the current, and was bobbing up and down trying to keep his head above water. Swimmer #2 lost sight of the operator/victim of vessel #1 once she floated downriver a ways.  
  
  The cause of death for this incident was ruled an accidental drowning.
  