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New warning signs at Kansas dam where man drowned

Crews search for Brian Bergkamp on July 9 photo courtesy KWCH
Crews search for Brian Bergkamp on July 9 photo courtesy KWCH

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita has installed new, larger warning signs at an Arkansas River dam where a 24-year-old man drowned.

Brian Bergkamp drowned in July at Wichita’s 21st Street dam as he tried to help another kayaker. The group of kayakers he was with didn’t see the small, faded yellow warning signs on the bridge until it was too late. Bergkamp’s body was found in the river nearly three weeks later, 6 miles away.

In 1979, two kayakers also died at the dam.

The city has installed new 4-by-6-foot signs on the bank of the Arkansas River to warn people to steer clear of the dam and to exit the water to get around it.

The Wichita Eagle reports the city is looking at several other locations that may need warning signs.

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