Conservation officers rescue kayakers in LaGrange County

Kyle Buchanan (Fall '09)

By: Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.com

Indiana conservation officers responded Monday to a 911 call placed by LaGrange County Sheriff's Department in regard to six canoers/kayakers who were lost on the Pigeon River near the Steuben County/LaGrange County line, according to a news release from the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division.

Conservation officers Jake Carlile and Kyle Buchanan (Fall '09) located the kayakers on foot at approximately 3 a.m. in a heavily wooded area.

The boaters were found without lights and suffering from the early stages of hypothermia as a result of long-term exposure in cold water and falling nighttime temperatures.

One woman suffered from early-stage hypothermia, and the remaining boaters were led to the nearest river access.

While waiting for transportation home, one man suffered a minor seizure but refused transport or medical assistance.

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