Drowning at Carver, Buffalo National River

On May 19, 2024, at approximately 5 p.m., Buffalo National River Dispatch received a report of a possible drowning in the upper river near Carver.

Judy Henderson-Bailey, a 69-year-old woman from Topeka, Kansas, was floating in a private kayak that overturned after hitting a tree in the river channel. After turning around in the water, the female was pulled under a submerged tree. Members of his floating group attempted to extract him, but without success. She was not wearing a personal flotation device at the time.

Buffalo National River said they would like to thank the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hasty Volunteer Fire Department who also responded to the incident.

Currents, falling trees, and underwater obstructions exist in rivers and streams, which can make paddling more difficult. Buffalo National River offers a life jacket loaner program. You can borrow a life jacket from the Steel Creek Ranger Station, Tyler Bend Visitor Center, or the Buffalo Point Ranger Station.

Please call the Tyler Bend Welcome Center at 870-439-2502 for more information.

The river level at this location was “low” at the time of this incident. Visit the USGS website at https://ar.water.usgs.gov/buffaloriver/ for current river levels. To report an emergency, please call 911 or the park’s 24-hour dispatch center at 1-888-692-1162.