Topeka woman drowns after kayak turns over on Buffalo National River in Arkansas

Authorities were notified about 5 p.m. May 19 of a possible drowning in the upper district of the Buffalo National River near Carver, Arkansas. Judy K. Bailey, 69, of Topeka, Kansas, was floating in a one-person kayak that overturned after striking a tree in the river channel.

Bystanders were not able to rescue Bailey after her boat overturned, according to Newton County, Arkansas, Sheriff Glenn Wheeler. After turning over in the water, Bailey was pulled under a submerged tree. She was not wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the accident. The river level was "low" at the time of the incident, according to USGS.

According to a Facebook post from Buffalo National River, which is overseen by the National Parks Department, both the Newton County Sheriff's Office and the Hasty Volunteer Fire Department responded to the incident.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Topeka woman drowns after kayak overturns on Buffalo National River