RedactedNarrative: On 05/19/2018 at approximately 1725 hours while on patrol within Franklin County I, Officer, received a call from Sgt. informing me there had been a boat accident earlier in the afternoon which had not been reported. 
  
  Sgt. informed me there had been a kayaking incident on the Pigg River and the victim was currently seeking medical attention at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital.  I arrived to Franklin Memorial at approximately 1740 hours and spoke to Operator. Operator was awake, alert, and sat up when I walked in the room. Operator said around 1400 hours earlier in the afternoon he was kayaking on the Pigg River approximately 300 yards downstream from the Rakes Rd Bridge when he observed a tree hanging in the water. 
  
  Operator said the tree blocked most of the waterway. Operator said he attempted to paddle back upstream, but was unable to do so due to the strong river current. Operator' kayak got stuck in the branches, took on water and flipped over. 
  
  Operator said he was wearing his PFD ("Stearns Type III) and a swift water helmet at the time. When the kayak flipped Operator fell in the water and got stuck under water for a short period of time. Operator said he was able to resurface and held onto his kayak for as long as he could before he lost his grip. Operator floated approximately a quarter of a mile downstream before other kayakers saw him and brought him to shore. 
  
  Operator said he was cold, tired, and had difficulty speaking when he was removed from the water. Operator was then transported to Franklin Memorial by ambulance. Operator said his kayak was a13 ft. orange Dagger Crossover. Operator said the Pigg River Ramble had been canceled due to the condition of the river, but he kayaked it anyways.   
  
  Operator showed me a bruise on his left knee cap where he had initially struck the tree. I photographed the injury and was informed by the hospital staff that he was going to be released. I drove Operator to Waid Recreation Park where I photographed his kayak. There was no apparent damage to the kayak. Inside the kayak there was a throw rope and the swift water helmet he said he was wearing.
  