UPDATE: Two Missing After Water Rescue at Kanopolis Lake
Woman airlifted to Wichita hospital in serious condition after being pulled from water
ELLSWORTH COUNTY — Search and recovery efforts continue at Kanopolis Lake for two missing people after a woman was rescued from the water Thursday evening. The emergency call came in at 7:21 p.m. when three people jumped from a boat into the water, according to the Ellsworth County Undersheriff.
A camper witnessed the woman struggling in the water and swam out to rescue her, bringing her back to shore where she was airlifted to a Wichita hospital in serious condition. The woman's mother reported she is "doing okay, considering" but will remain hospitalized for several days after swallowing "an immense amount of water." Multiple agencies including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and dive teams from McPherson and Saline counties deployed boats and drones in the search Thursday night before calling off efforts due to darkness. High winds hampered Friday's search efforts, and the Sheriff's Office is advising boaters to stay away from search personnel and vessels while working to notify families of all potential victims.