A Hutchinson man died Friday, April 29, after drowning in rough waters at the Marion Reservoir, according to Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft.
Carl C. Elder, 70, died at 1:41 p.m. and was one of three Hutch?inson residents who were boating in the reservoir when the boat became disabled because of the high winds, Craft said.
The other two passengers in the boat were Richard Wood, 43, and Michael Ballinger, 30, also of Hutchinson.
Wood and Ballinger were rescued by the Corps of Engineers boat and were transported to an awaiting ambulance, according to Craft.
?An extensive search of the lake by boats from the Kansas Depart?ment of Wildlife and Parks, along with law enforcement personnel from the Marion County Sheriff?s office, Marion, Hillsboro and Florence police departments and Kansas High?way Patrol was begun to locate the missing individual,? he said.
In addition, a KHP helicopter was called to assist.
Elder was spotted at 4:23 p.m. by helicopter along the east shore of the lake.
?Winds at that time were around 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph and hampered the search efforts by boat, with one search boat becoming disabled,? he said.
Authorities were notified of the emergency after one of the boat passengers called friends camping at French Creek Cove, who then alerted the Corps of Engineers.
Elder was taken to Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Hutchin?son.
