A weekend trip on the Licking River turned tragic Sunday afternoon when a boater was pulled from the water near Staddens Bridge Road and later pronounced dead at Licking Memorial Hospital. Emergency crews were called just before 3:40 p.m. to a stretch of the river near East Main Street after reports of someone in distress. The victim’s identity has not been released, and authorities say the case remains under investigation. Recent storms had pushed river levels higher than usual, adding to the danger on the water.
Rescue and response
Officers headed to an area off Staddens Bridge Road, about a mile from the bridge near East Main Street, after getting word that a boater was in trouble, ODNR spokesperson Andy Chow told MyFox28 Columbus. Madison Township Fire Department led the response, with backup from the Newark Fire Department, Licking Township Fire Department, the Licking County Sheriff’s Department, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, according to the report. It was a full, multi-agency scramble to the riverbank.
River levels and conditions
In the days leading up to the incident, the USGS streamgage for the Licking River near Newark showed elevated flows in late May, reflecting recent rainfall that swelled the river and stiffened the current. Those higher flows can mean faster water and more floating debris, making boats tougher to handle and any rescue effort more hazardous. USGS data provides current and historical flow information for the gauge near Newark.
Where it happened
The emergency unfolded near Staddens Landing, a public river access on Staddens Bridge Road popular with kayakers and anglers. The Licking Park District lists the site at 11059 Staddens Bridge Road and notes that guided paddles are limited when flows climb past certain thresholds, a reminder of how quickly a familiar stretch of river can change. Licking Park District maintains information on the launch and local guidance for paddlers.
Investigation
ODNR said the boater was taken from the river to Licking Memorial Hospital, where they were pronounced dead, and that investigators are working to determine what led up to the emergency, according to MyFox28 Columbus. Officials have not released the victim’s name or any additional details as the investigation continues. We will update this story as local agencies release more information.
