NEWARK, Ohio — A kayaker drowned Tuesday evening after falling into the Licking River in the Blackhand Gorge area of Hanover Township in Licking County.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources confirmed the incident occurred around 6 p.m. on June 23. The kayaker fell into the water about a half mile upstream, or southwest, from Toboso Road in Blackhand Gorge. Two bystanders removed the person from the river. The individual was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. The kayaker’s identity has not been released.
This marks the second fatal kayaking incident on the Licking River in less than a month. On May 31, 15-year-old Brenda Montgomery died after becoming trapped underwater beneath a log jam while kayaking with her family in Madison Township. That location sits roughly five miles from Tuesday’s scene. Montgomery was pronounced dead at Licking Memorial Hospital. High water levels and fast currents contributed to the group becoming stranded on the log jam about one mile east of Staddens Bridge.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Lt. Dawn Powell of the Division of Parks and Watercraft has emphasized the need to match experience levels to water conditions, especially during periods of high water. Officials continue to encourage all paddlers to share their plans with someone before heading out.
These back-to-back tragedies underscore the serious risks on Ohio rivers and the importance of basic safety steps. Paddlers should wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device at all times, check current river levels and weather conditions in advance, paddle with at least one companion, avoid hazards such as log jams and strainers, and inform others of their float plan.
While the incidents took place in central Ohio’s Licking County, they carry a clear message for outdoor enthusiasts across the state. Residents and visitors in southern Ohio, including those in Ross County and adjacent counties served by this news outlet, face similar hazards on popular local waterways such as the Scioto River. Checking conditions through official sources like the U.S. Geological Survey or ODNR before any trip remains essential.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is investigating Tuesday’s drowning. Both incidents remain under review by the agency.
