The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has released more information about Saturday evening’s fatal boating accident near Burlington as the investigation continues into the incident.
Major David Simonetti says the water rescue report was on the Neosho River near Burlington City Dam. The boat stalled in rapid, aerated water near the so-called low-head dam before the operator lost control and all four people on board were ejected.
Wesley Sharp of Shawnee was rescued and taken to Coffey County Hospital. He is in stable condition at last word. An adult female, Maribel Moran, and the couple’s two children, ages 3 and 5, were pronounced dead at Coffey County Hospital.
Wildlife, Parks and Tourism game wardens are investigating the incident. People with information are asked to call warden Blake Stromgren at 785-207-3151.
11:45 am Sunday: Woman, two children dead after boat overturns near Burlington City Dam
A woman and two young children were killed in a boating accident in Burlington on Saturday.
Game wardens with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism were alerted to the incident around 6:30 pm, with Coffey County Water Rescue, Coffey County deputies and Burlington Police also responding. Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Major David Simonetti says the boat had apparently gotten caught in the rapids near the dam. The operator, as yet unnamed, lost control and all four people inside — an adult male and female and two children — were ejected.
It’s the second boating fatality incident worked by game wardens over the past week. A 24-year-old man was found at Tuttle Creek Lake on Wednesday. Foul play is not suspected in that incident.
Names have not been released in the Burlington incident, which is still under investigation. John Redmond Reservoir has been running with outflows well above normal since heavy rainfall in late May, including a flow approaching 8,000 cubic feet per second this weekend, but it’s unclear if that played any factor in Saturday’s wreck.
