Search of Big Walnut ongoing for Fillmore man

Indiana Conservation Officers use an air boat to search the swollen banks of the Big Walnut for Robert Sims, who has been missing on the creek since Saturday evening. Sims, of Fillmore, and a friend were kayaking on the creek when his boat rolled over.

Courtesy photo

A Fillmore man has been missing on the flooded waters of Big Walnut Creek since Saturday evening and searches were ongoing as of Sunday afternoon.

Around 8 a.m. Sunday, Indiana Conservation Officers resumed a waterborne search of Big Walnut Creek near Fillmore for Robert Sims, 27.

Sims was last seen Saturday, Sept. 17 at approximately 9:30 p.m., a release from Indiana Conservation Officers said. He was in a green kayak wearing blue jeans, a gray shirt and a Budweiser hat.

Sims and a companion decided to kayak the swollen waters of the creek around 7:30 p.m. They launched their boats around Wildwood Bridge.

The duo encountered swift-moving waters and both struck objects under the surface, submerging both kayaks.

According to Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton, Sims’ friend was able to abandon his kayak and make it to shore. However, the friend said Sims tried to recover his boat.

The companion said after a little while, he could no longer hear Sims’ voice on the water.

The other man then walked to the nearest residence, which took approximately 30-45 minutes. After a call to 911 Dispatch, rescue operations began.

Four Indiana Conservation Officers, under the command of Lt. Kent Hutchins, searched the flooded creek until 2 a.m. Sunday before the search was ended due to heavy fog and resumed at 8 a.m.

Sims’ green kayak, as well as some clothes and cell phone were located on Sunday. Officers still have found no sign of Sims.

Conditions were so bad late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, Stockton said, that the Conservation Officers, all of whom are certified divers, had to tie off one of their boats.

Conservation Officers have been using an air boat and other watercraft to search due to the extremely swift water conditions caused by recent heavy rain in the area.

On Sunday morning, Indiana Conservation Officers located the kayak of 27-year-old Robert Sims of Fillmore. Sims who has been missing since about 9:30 Saturday evening, remains missing.

Courtesy photo

Putnam County sheriff’s deputies, Greencastle Police, Operation Life and Greencastle and Bainbridge fire departments responded to the call and provided support at the scene.

A deputy coroner also responded to the scene.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story misspelled Robert Sims' last name throughout due to an error in the press release. A family member pointed the error out to our editorial staff.