On May 2, 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM, a group of students and instructors from the Arkansas Canoe Club, conducting training on the Mulberry River in Arkansas, encountered a group of private boaters in boats rented from a local outfitter exiting the “Jump Start” rapid in distress. Multiple members of the private party were yelling for help, and several of their party were in the water. The lead instructor for the small kayak class, ACA Instructor Holly McClintock, stated that she observed at least two swimmers, multiple pieces of equipment floating by, and a dog. An experienced member of the kayak training group, Rya Morgan, who was closest to her own boat, quickly outfitted herself and went after the first swimmer, while the rest of the training group went into rescue mode. During the initial rescue and pickup of people and equipment, Holly stated she observed that the party was wearing their life jackets, but most were not buckled correctly, and several did not fit correctly.
After basic recovery of all floaters and most of the gear, the group worked their way downriver through a deep pool to the next available landing spot, a large gravel bar where another ACC group, led by ACA Instructor David Swanson, was conducting Swiftwater Rescue training with 9 students and 2 assistants. With space to work and multiple experienced heads available, a full assessment of the situation was made. Two members of the party had clear injuries, including what appeared to be large bruises to their legs and feet, and one possible lower-leg fracture. Additionally, one victim was only somewhat responsive to verbal communication and was exhibiting signs consistent with shock.
While physically close to a road, access to that road from the gravel bar was not possible given the victim’s state. The decision was made to split the victims’ group: the ambulatory party (and their dogs) would walk up to the road and start working back toward their vehicles, while the injured parties would be placed in the raft. The raft would be piloted by ACC members with rafting experience to a location where a proper river access could be made, approximately 1.5 miles downriver from the accident site.
Once on the river, the accident victim who was experiencing shock symptoms became completely unresponsive to verbal cues, though respirations and skin color appeared normal. The weekend had been unseasonably cool, with highs in the 70s and lows in the upper 30s, and water temperatures estimated in the 50s — so both shock and hypothermia were suspected.
After arriving with the victims at a private residence on the river that had good access to the road, an attempt was made to walk the victims up to a vehicle. One victim, despite more severe leg injuries, was able to move with assistance. The other victim who was demonstrating the shock symptoms, would not get out of the raft. Lacking a gurney or backboard and unable to safely move the victim from that location, a decision to call 911 from the private residence. After between 20 and 30 minutes, local volunteer firefighters arrived on scene, and care was transferred to them.
Discussing the incident among the ACC instructors involved, it was agreed that the upper Mulberry under optimal to high water conditions, especially on a cold day, is no place for inexperienced boaters. We were unable to confirm exactly which put-in they used, though we suspect the “High Bank” access was used — which means the Class II (pushing Class II+) rapid “Jump Start” is just 500 yards below. The rapid drops 8-10 feet over the course of 100 yards and has several large boulders that, if not avoided, are very capable of capsizing any craft, but especially sit-on-top kayaks piloted by inexperienced paddlers. The large rocks are also optimal for causing traumatic injuries to limbs, which matches the assessment of the victims that were observed.
On May 4, the victims made a post on the Arkansas Canoe Club Facebook page to express their thanks for the assistance. The victim’s statement is as follows:
“My wife and I are incredibly grateful to the rescue classes that were on the Mulberry river May 2, 2026. We were so excited to get out and experience the river with our dogs. I remember when we were dropped off, we were told you don’t even have to wear your PFD. That was not happening all members had theirs on. We started good for no experience, but turned bad very quickly. We were capsized right before rapids, due to things we should have known and could maybe have prevented. Being inexperienced, there was so much we wished we were told or warned. Long story short, after being capsized, we were being pushed by current leading to rapids. Not knowing how to get back on kayaks. My side of story, I remember seeing wife’s 40 lb service dog swim to safety. By that time me and my 4lb dog where in rapids, I remember being thrown all over, somehow holding my little dog up and holding on to kayak and paddle. So many thoughts going through my head. Knowing it would end soon. Finally giving it every thing I had still holding my baby and equipment I was swimming as hard as I could to the rest of our people on shore. Someone grabbed kayak and pulled us end as I was screaming for my wife who was ahead and at end of rapids. Knowing her she was panicked and worried about her dog and us, as well as struggling with her life vest. She was drowning. We were blessed that along that shore was a rapid water rescue class that took charged. They got our big dog back to us, got to wife and helped us get all members of our party to safety. We were taken safely down to the 2nd rescue team. While some hiked out, my wife and I was brought on down to a point to get off water and they were all just amazing in taking control. We can not thank them enough for the amazing job they did. Lesson learned, have some knowledge before hitting rapids. We are banged up, I have 2 broke toes, pulled muscles, cuts, and deep bruises. Yet we survived and are so grateful for that. Thank you all on the rescue team.”