MISSOURI – From summer water activities to more recent rising waters and flash flooding, incidents involving water activity have been on the rise since the start of summer.
Since the beginning of June, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported over 40 water incidents, from drownings to collisions with boats or watercraft, that have occurred throughout the state.
During the holiday weekend alone, 10 boating crashes occurred at Table Rock Lake and Lake of the Ozarks, resulting in seven injuries. One drowning was reported during the weekend at Stockton Lake in Cedar County.
MSHP reports one drowning recently took place on Sunday, June 16, when a fishermen drowned at the Meramec River in St. Louis County. The fisherman was seen floating on his back before being submerged in the water. His body was found the following Tuesday.
The MSHP advises that while in rivers or lakes, both adults and children should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and be aware of currents, aquatic life, drop-offs, and debris.
When swimming, MSHP advises that everyone have a “swimming buddy” and that nobody swims alone. Exhaustion was another concern when swimming for too long or too hard and not drinking enough water, among various other factors.
As for watercrafts, MSHP advises that in the event a boat capsizes, hold onto the craft and move onto the upstream side of the river to avoid entrapment between the boat and debris. Then, gradually work towards the shore with feet together while floating on your back.
