Indiana Conservation Officers Investigating Serious Water-Related Incident in Whitley County

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. – On June 25, 2017, at approximately 11:59 am, Richard V. Wilson, 31, of Warsaw, Indiana attempted to cross over the Collamer Low Head Dam with a kayak on the Eel River. Witnesses observed Wilson fall out of the kayak and was unable to escape the strong circulating current near the face of the low head dam. Zachary A. Anderson, 25, of Syracuse, Indiana then waded out to Wilson to attempt a rescue and was sucked into the circulating current also. A second rescuer then entered the water and was able to bring both victims to shore where CPR was performed. Both victims were transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center by Parkview Samaritan Medical Transport for treatment. Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, South Whitley Police Department, Indiana State Police, Cleveland Township Fire Department, and Parkview Whitley EMS.