Authorities Release ID Of Arkansas River Drowning Victim

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Authorities have released the identity of the man who drowned in the Arkansas River Monday morning.

Authorities report the victim was 31-year-old Derrek Richardson.

Richardson had been kayaking in Zink Lake, near 31st and Riverside.

5/24/2010  Related story: Kayaker Dies After Being Pulled From Arkansas River

Witnesses called for help after watching the man get caught in the current and go over the low water dam. The man fell out of his kayak, and tumbled around in the water.

The Tulsa Fire Department launched three boats in a search for the victim. It was tough going against the current, but they spotted the victim about a mile south of the dam. They pulled him onboard and rushed to shore while performing CPR on him in the boat.

Paramedics from both EMSA and the fire department tried to restart the man's heart, hoping he might have survived at least 15 minutes in water. Despite all their efforts, the man never regained consciousness, and they were not able to restore his heartbeat.

Richardson was pronounced dead at a Tulsa hospital.