Authorities urge caution after spate of drownings

Families preparing for their final vacations and weekend getaways before the start of the next school year are encouraged to take a few precautions if they plan to visit any favorite swimming spots.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol recently reported the number of accidental drownings for this year has reached 30, surpassing the total number of drownings in all of 2014 by one.

Reports available from the highway patrol's website show most of the drownings reported last year occurred in June and July, and that none of the victims was wearing a personal flotation device.

Southeast Missouri, which includes all of the Bootheel up to Cape Girardeau County and stretches as far west as Iron and Ripley counties, is covered by Troop E. Its reports show two accidental drownings have occurred in the area this year. The number is identical to reports from the same time last year; the number of accidental drownings reached a total of three by the end of 2014.

The most recent drowning in the area was July 18. Devron Looney, 18, of Sikeston, Missouri, was at The Offsets Recreation Area in Madison County, where he "jumped 18 foot and did not resurface," according to the report from the highway patrol. He was not wearing a flotation device.

The first drowning of the year reported by Troop E was in April in Butler County. Jamie Ferrill, 40, of Doniphan, Missouri, was reported missing April 2, and his body was discovered days later in a drainage ditch near the Black River. The Butler County Coroner's Office ruled it an accidental drowning.

The Pemiscot County Sheriff's Office also has told media outlets the body of a woman found Sunday in floodwaters southeast of Caruthersville, Missouri, was apparently a victim of accidental drowning.

Sgt. Jason Pace of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said flooding played a significant role in many deaths across the state, according to reports from The Associated Press, as several people drowned after high waters forced their vehicles off roadways.

Pace also cautioned people to watch out for changing conditions in lakes or rivers brought on by large amounts of rain.

Non-fatal incidents reported in Southeast Missouri include two near-drownings, five watercraft collisions and one incident of a person falling overboard. The report said that person was intoxicated when he fell out of his kayak in the Current River in Ripley County and was resuscitated using CPR after he was found face down in the water and not breathing.

Campgrounds along Current River reported earlier this month that flooding caused by persistent rain forced temporary closures and the suspension of floating activities. The high waters brought with them faster currents and large debris floating in the river.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641