SIDNEY — One of the four victims rescued in Monday’s river accident has died.
Dr. Harshbarger, Montgomery County Coroner, identified Kristeenu Clack, 26, 2345 Collins Drive Apt. D, Sidney, died at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton.
According to the press release, Clack’s death was pronounced on April 29, 2020. The cause and manner of the death have not been determined.
Harshbarger’s press release said the matter is under investigation by the Sidney Police Department. Stephanie O’Grady, Ohio Department of Natural Resources’s (ODNR) media and outreach specialist, said ODNR is leading both the investigation and the search, but are also working with Sidney Police.
Sidney Fire, ODNR boat crews, OSP’s helicopter continued searching Friday for a fourth person who is still missing after the accident on the Great Miami River Monday night.
Sidney Firefighters were initially dispatched to the Great Miami River on the report one person was in the water near Custenborder Fields Monday, April 27, 2020, at 6:35 p.m. As first responders arrived on the scene, they became aware others were also in the water.
Fire Chief Brad Jones said the victims “tried to boat over the low head dam and the current/water boil from the dam capsized them. The current/boil from the dam trapped them.”
O’Grady said in an emailed statement Friday, “Two males in individual kayaks and two females were in an inflatable boat. The inflatable boat with the two females went over the low head dam causing them to be stuck in the recirculation current below the dam. One of the males tried to rescue the two females from the dam when he ultimately went under water and is missing at this time. One of the females floated from the dam and was rescued. A park ranger from the city of Sidney was the first to arrive on scene and was able to rescue the second female that was in the dam. Both females were transported by EMS to the Miami Valley Hospital. One female was treated and released, the other, a 26-year old from Sidney has passed away. One male suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the other is missing.”
Sidney Deputy Fire Chief Chad Hollinger said Thursday as long as the river and weather conditions permit, they would continue the search. O’Grady confirmed ODNR plans to continue to search.
“Officers are conducting a thorough search of the area at a minimum in the morning and evening. Start and end times vary,” she said when asked how long they will continue the search.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for to help with funeral and memorial expenses.
“She was a beautiful loving caring smart soul!” the GoFundMe page says. “She loved her fur babies, her family was top priority in her life, and always reached out a helping hand to anyone in need! She loved camping, and spending time with her family. Her most important people in her life was her mom Karen, her dad John, her brother John, her nephew and her beloved fiancé Tyson (who was also involved in the accident) ……her family was her everything.”
Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.
