LITTLETON, IOWA – Authorities used a drone and other tools to help locate stranded kayakers on a Northern Iowa river this weekend.
On Friday, April 28, 2023 at approximately 6:30 pm, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that four individuals were kayaking on the Wapsipinicon River south of Littleton when some of the kayaks began to take on water, causing two individuals to go into the water. One of the individuals made it to shore before losing sight of the others. Sheriff’s Deputies and Fire/Rescue personnel were immediately dispatched to the area. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Drone Team also deployed. At approximately 7:30 pm, Sheriff’s drone located the three remaining individuals on the river just north of the Otterville Access as Fire/Rescue crews were getting to the area via boat.
All three individuals were safely returned to shore at the Otterville Access at 190th Street and Furman Avenue by Jesup firefighters via their rescue boat and evaluated by EMS.
“Thankfully, no injuries were reported,” authorities reported.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Independence Fire Department, Jesup Fire Department, Jesup Ambulance Service, AMR Ambulance Service and Independence Police Department.
(PHOTO: Rescue of kayakers via Buchanan county, Iowa sheriff)