ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. — A rescue squad member died Saturday night as a result of injuries suffered during a search for a missing kayaker.
AL.com reported that Vicky Ryan, 46, and three other rescues were injured when two boats capsized during the search.
Gadsden (Ala.) Assistant Fire Chief Robert Maltbie said a 25-year-old man was out kayaking with family members when he was swept into the water.
The Etowah (Ala.) County Rescue Squad began a search, and employed two rescue boats.
One of the boats got too close to a dam and was swept over the side, according to the report. The second boat soon followed and nine rescue squad workers were cast into the creek. Members of the Gadsden Fire Department and the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office assisted in rescue efforts.
Firefighters have still not located the missing kayaker.
An education fund has been set up for Ryan’s 10-year-old son through gofundme.com.