Drowning is grim reminder of river dangers
Recovery of the body of 19-year-old Travis Conditt from the Cumberland River last week was a grim reminder of the dangers of swimming in area reservoirs.
There are no marked swimming areas on the Ohio, Cumberland or Tradewater rivers, which outline the county’s boundaries. Swimming on any of the rivers is dangerous, said Donnie Arflack, chief of the Crittenden County Rescue Squad.
“The current on the Cumberland River can change dramatically when they open the gates at Barkley Dam,” Arflack said. “We recommend that no one swim in the rivers, but if you do, always wear a life jacket.”
Conditt and 19-year-old Jordan Wadsworth of Marion were swimming in the river about 3 p.m., last Wednesday, June 23. They had gone into the water near the Dycusburg boat ramp while two friends, Jacob Pitman of Possum Trot and Stormy DePriest of Benton were sitting on rip rap on the riverbank.
The boys had been swimming in the area for about 30 minutes when they tried to swim to a green buoy marking the river channel, about 100 feet from shore. Conditt was the first to reach the buoy, and as the two turned to swim back, he began to cramp. His companion tried coaxing him onto his back into a floating position, but Conditt went under. Pitman went into the river, but the victim was already under water.
Wadsworth got out of the water and called 911 then tried to crank a small boat parked nearby but could not get it running.
The boys had been swimming in that part of the river before, just three days earlier.
The recovery effort included the Crittenden County Rescue Squad and local chapter of the American Red Cross. Other agencies from Livingston and Marshall counties, the Area 2 Dive Team and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources were also involved in the search, which lasted almost two days.
Conditt’s family and many friends stood vigil form the riverbank for more than 40 hours while recovery boats used manual and electronic equipment to search the river bottom. His body resurfaced at about 11 a.m., Friday only feet from where witnesses told authorities that he’d gone under.
Assistance from agencies from other counties was requested because of the more sophisticated electronic equipment they have on their search boats.
Arflack said side scan sonar and Towfish sonar units can speed recovery in drowning situations. He said Crittenden County’s rescue boats do not have that type equipment, but the squad is trying to get a grant and/or donations to help defray costs for such units.
Conditt had grown up in Marion and has a large family living here. The family has established a memorial fund at Farmers Bank (see obituary page 4).