Putnam County man missing after kayak trip

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 ~ Updated 3:13 PM

PUTNAMVILLE - Indiana Conservation Officers conducting a search Wednesday morning for a Putnam County man who has not returned from a kayak trip on Big Walnut Creek near Putnamville.

David Pritchett, 48, reportedly launched a kayak in a flooded field near his home at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The search began at approximately 10 p.m. Tuesday, after concerned family members reported his absence. A search by land and water ended at approximately 2 a.m. before resuming Wednesday morning.

Pritchett was last seen wearing a tan short-sleeve button-up shirt, blue pants, brown hip waders, and was possibly wearing a yellow life jacket. The kayak he was using is green in color, authorities said.

As the search resumed Wednesday morning volunteers from the Cloverdale Fire Department were accessing the banks via ATV wherever possible, while Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department personnel were staged atop nearby bridges, using binoculars to scour the area for any sign of the missing kayaker.

"Big Walnut Creek is flooded after heavy rains Tuesday evening," Conservation Officer Max Winchell said, adding that the high water was hindering search efforts Wednesday morning.

Some roads along the Big Walnut, particularly south of U.S. 40 in the Reelsville area, were virtually impassable because of flooding, Winchell told the BannerGraphic.

Indiana Conservation officers and Indiana State Police personnel joined family members and Reelsville and Cloverdale fire department personnel in the search Tuesday evening.

As of 1:15 p.m., officials have called off the search due to high water and flood conditions.

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  • So sad to read about this. He is one of my customers, very polite man. I pray he is brought back to safety and prayers to the family.

    -- Posted by nallen on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 12:03 PM
  • I'm a little confused. I thought Big Walnut Creek was in the Reelsville area and Deer Creek was in the Putnamville area.

    -- Posted by alittleopinion on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 4:14 PM
  • I agree. I'm confused as well. The closest Big Walnut gets to Putnamville would be between Okalla (sp) Bridge to Houck's Bridge. That is still a few miles from Putnamvile. Can we get some clairification?

    -- Posted by Redneck_Geek on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 4:32 PM
  • I just read on WTHI that the dog returned home. I sure hope that this will be the outcome for Dave. My thougths and prayers are with his family.

    If there is anything that I can do to help, search or anything else, post it, tell me what I need to do.

    -- Posted by dbltrbl on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 4:41 PM
  • Banner Graphic ,

    please keep everyone informed on this and if there will be an search for him . glad the dog made it home, now it's Davids turn.

    -- Posted by carebuttonbroke on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 4:55 PM
  • My heart also goes out for this young man. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and praying for a safe return.

    I agree. Is there anything the community can do to help in the search?

    -- Posted by alittleopinion on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 4:56 PM
  • When the call came in last night, he was said to have entered the water at 625 w, which is Reelsville.

    -- Posted by dbltrbl on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 5:21 PM
  • Dave's a good guy, and I have met some of the family, too.

    Sure hope he is found alive

    -- Posted by vwthing on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 8:43 PM
  • Thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family! Great and unique family alot of fun to be around.

    Come home safely David

    -- Posted by mother of 3 on Wed, Apr 20, 2011, at 11:50 PM
  • Still hoping and praying, Michelle my heart aches for you honey! Lord please bring him back to her one way or the other. The missing part must be torture on the family. Peace be to this tragic story.

    -- Posted by Juanita on Wed, Apr 27, 2011, at 11:38 PM
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