Four Texarkana residents canoeing the Caddo and Ouachita rivers missed their take-out point Sunday afternoon — by about five miles.
The canoers began their float at Two Rivers Canoe Rental on the Caddo River, and were instructed to stop at the Highway 7 boat ramp, just north of the Ouachita River Bridge.
According to Arkadelphia Fire Chief Ricky Arnold, a thunderstorm greeted them about the time they made it to the boat ramp. Caddo Valley firefighters were dispatched at 6 p.m., and the Arkadelphia Fire Department was called soon after. Arkadelphia firefighters launched rescue boats at the Highway 7 ramp and searched eastward, down river, for the stranded canoers.
They were located at Open Banks, where they and the two canoes were taken out of the river at about 7:30 p.m., said Arnold.
AFD and the Caddo Valley Rural Volunteer Fire Department makes these types of searches at least two to three times per year, with hundreds of people floating the Caddo River during the summer. “They’re mostly out-of-towners,” Arnold said of those who miss the take-out points.
In July 2008, an Arkadelphia man drowned on the Caddo River. No drownings have been reported since then.
Firefighters urge canoers and floaters to use caution when traveling either the Caddo or the Ouachita rivers. “Get all the instructions before leaving the bank,” Arnold said. “Also, don’t drink alcoholic beverages while boating.” Other steps that should be taken to avoid accidents include wearing life jackets at all times and “using common sense,” he said. “Be safe.”
|
|
|
Four Texarkana residents canoeing the Caddo and Ouachita rivers missed their take-out point Sunday afternoon — by about five miles.
The canoers began their float at Two Rivers Canoe Rental on the Caddo River, and were instructed to stop at the Highway 7 boat ramp, just north of the Ouachita River Bridge.
According to Arkadelphia Fire Chief Ricky Arnold, a thunderstorm greeted them about the time they made it to the boat ramp. Caddo Valley firefighters were dispatched at 6 p.m., and the Arkadelphia Fire Department was called soon after. Arkadelphia firefighters launched rescue boats at the Highway 7 ramp and searched eastward, down river, for the stranded canoers.
They were located at Open Banks, where they and the two canoes were taken out of the river at about 7:30 p.m., said Arnold.
AFD and the Caddo Valley Rural Volunteer Fire Department makes these types of searches at least two to three times per year, with hundreds of people floating the Caddo River during the summer. “They’re mostly out-of-towners,” Arnold said of those who miss the take-out points.
In July 2008, an Arkadelphia man drowned on the Caddo River. No drownings have been reported since then.
Firefighters urge canoers and floaters to use caution when traveling either the Caddo or the Ouachita rivers. “Get all the instructions before leaving the bank,” Arnold said. “Also, don’t drink alcoholic beverages while boating.” Other steps that should be taken to avoid accidents include wearing life jackets at all times and “using common sense,” he said. “Be safe.”
