Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boating accident that occurred in Jackson County Sunday evening. Jerry Cash (59), of Seymour, was rescued from swift water after capsizing his canoe in the White River.
At 7:42 P.M. Anthony Davis of Seymour contacted the Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Department about a man yelling for help near Co. Rd. 300 North and the Shieldstown Covered Bridge. Shortly afterward, Jackson County Deputies J.L. McElfresh and Brad Barker arrived on scene and located Cash entangled in the top of a downed tree in the channel of the river. Cash was hanging on to a tree limb in 6 to 8 feet of swift water.
Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department backed a truck into the water and Deputy Barker attempted to reach Cash with a throw bag rope, but Cash was too far from the bank to be reached. Jackson County Deputy Mitch Ray arrived on scene with the Sheriff’s Department boat and Indiana Conservation Officer Cpl. Nathan Berry arrived with a department Airboat.
Officers launched the Sheriff’s boat into White River to attempt rescue. Indiana Conservation Officer Cpl. Nathan Berry operated the boat while Deputies Barker and McElfresh accompanied Berry to assist with the rescue. Officers were able to reach Cash and pull him from the frigid water into the boat.
Cash was out of the river at 8:15 P.M. He was transported by Jackson County EMS to Schneck Medical Center for evaluation.
An investigation revealed that Cash had made an attempt to retrieve a canoe from along the river’s edge on property that he owned. While attempting to paddle down the east edge of the river, he capsized and became stranded in the river.
River conditions were extremely dangerous due to swift current and large amounts of debris as a result of recent flooding in the area. Cash was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time of the accident.
Agencies on scene included the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Brownstown Police Department, Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department , and Jackson County EMS.
