Crews Rescue Man From White River After Canoe Capsizes

JACKSON COUNTY, IN — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boating accident they said happened in Jackson County Sunday evening, resulting in the rescue of a Seymour man. Officers said Jerry Cash, 59, was rescued from what authorities describe as swift water after his canoe capsized in the White River. According to officers, Anthony Davis of Seymour contacted the Jackson Co. Sheriff's Department at 7:42 p.m. regarding a man yelling for help near County Road 300 North and the Shieldstown Covered Bridge.

Jackson County Sheriff's Department Deputies J.L. McElfresh and Brad Barker arrived at the scene shortly after the report, and found Cash entangled in the top of a downed tree in six to eight feet of water in river's channel, officers said.

After a rescue attempt by truck and a throw bag rope from Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department and Deputy, Jackson County Deputy Mitch Ray arrived at the scene with the sheriff’s department boat and Indiana Conservation Officer Cpl. Nathan Berry arrived with a department air boat, officers said.

According to a DNR report, officers then used the sheriff's department boat, operated by Indiana Conservation Officer Cpl. Berry, while Deputy Barker and Deputy McElfresh assisted with rescuing Cash from the frigid weather. Cash was out of the river at 8:15 p.m. and was taken by Jackson County EMS to Schneck Medical Center for evaluation, officers said.

Related: 'Turn Around, Don't Drown': Indiana Conservation Officers

According to officers, an investigation into the incident revealed that Cash tried to retrieve a canoe from along the river’s edge on property that he owned, and while trying to paddle down the east edge of the river, the canoe capsized and Cash became stranded in the river.

In addition, officers said river conditions were extremely dangerous because of the swift current and lots of debris as a result of recent area flooding, and Cash wasn't wearing a personal flotation device at the time.

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