NICKERSON -One of the victims of a canoe accident on the Arkansas River near Nickerson has died as a result of the accident.

Jerry Patton of Hutchinson was canoeing on the Arkansas River with his son, 38-year-old Justin Patton and his two grand daughters, ages 12 and 10. They had two canoes that capsized in the area of 30th & Dean Rd.

Jerry Patton struggled in the water and was having difficulty breathing. Rescue personnel had difficulty reaching the location where the canoe capsized because of mud issues. A helicopter was able to remove Jerry from the scene. He was pronounced dead in Wichita around 3 p.m.

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NICKERSON — One person suffered injuries and numerous rescue personnel had to work in hot overgrown conditions to rescue one of four people after their canoe capsized while rafting down the Arkansas River on Friday afternoon.

According to Reno County Sheriffs Deputy Rick Newton, the four took off down the river this morning around 69th Avenue. The canoe capsized in the area of 30th and Dean Road.

Four were resuscitated, as rescue crews were on the scene, although Newton could not say what exactly happened.

It is not know if any of the four were under the water for an extended period of time but three of the boaters did not appear to suffer serious injuries.

The one victim was airlifted to a Wichita hospital. One member of the rescue team suffered some type of medical condition and was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Several of the other firefighters and EMS personnel who were on the scene suffered numerous bites and cuts from dealing with the heavy over growth and the river.

Although the sheriff has not banned rafting on the river, they have strongly recommended against any type of float trip due to the high water.