Rafter Drowns On The Illinois River

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- A Perkins woman drowned on the swollen Illinois River when she fell out of a raft over the holiday weekend.

It happened Saturday afternoon when authorities say 24-year-old Kristina Singleton was knocked out of the raft after it washed up on a fallen tree.

Her family members in the raft were swept away around a bend in the river and couldn't see if Singleton made it to shore safely.

Witnesses say the victim was not wearing a life jacket and had been drinking beer that day.

Her body was recovered nearly a half-mile downstream and more than two hours after she was reported missing.

The river level Saturday was at a height and stream flow that only experienced paddlers and swimmers should have been on the river, according to Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission.