Crews are searching for a Meade County man who either fell or jumped out of a boat at the confluence of Salt River and Ohio River at West Point.
Derik Walker, 46, was fishing with his father and a family friend Wednesday sometime before 3:00 a.m. when Walker’s father, while checking on the boat’s lights, heard a splash.
Kentucky Fish & Wildlife officials told WAVE.com that witnesses said Walker began “swimming backwards towards the southern bank on the Salt River when he went under and didn’t resurface.”
Walker’s father jumped into the water and tried to save his son but was unable to locate him.
Walker’s family told WAVE.com that he struggles with seizures and has a history of schizophrenia. It’s also possible, according to the family, that Walker and his father were in an argument just before he entered the water.
Participating in the search efforts are personnel from Kentucky Fish & Wildlife, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and the Louisville Metro Police Department among other agencies.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
