WATTS, Okla. — Authorities say an Arkansas man drowned in the Illinois River after helping his daughter to safety.
The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission says 42-year-old Michael Wheaton of Gentry, Ark., died Saturday at a low-water crossing of the river in Adair County.
The commission says Wheaton was sitting on a stream bank while his 7-year-old daughter was wading in the river, when the girl stepped into a deep area and called for help. Officials say Wheaton helped her to safety but began struggling.
A witness tried to rescue him but couldn’t get Wheaton back to shallow water. Others pulled him out and drove him drove him to U.S. Highway 412, where two ambulances were waiting.
He was transported to a Siloam Springs, Ark. hospital but died.
No lifejackets were in use.