THOMASTON - A 30 year-old male from Mauk, GA, who was identified by Fun 101.1 FM as Ryan Barfield, is missing after a day of swimming and camping on the Flint River. He was with family members for a weekend excursion, and had jumped off the 36W Bridge at the Flint River numerous times on Saturday. He decided to jump one more time before the day ended around 8:30 p.m. Bystanders state that he threw a floatation cushion from the bridge into the river with the intent to jump and land on it. Apparently, he missed his mark and submerged on impact, resurfaced and then went under again. He has not been seen since. Upson EMA’s Rescue Unit was deployed to establish search operations a bit after 9 PM last night. All EMA units, including mobile command, rescue trucks and boats, remained on scene throughout the night. Other agencies assisting in the effort: Talbot Co EMA, Thurston VFD, Rock Hill VFD, Northside VFD, Woodland VFD, O’Neal VFD, Upson County SO, Talbot County SO, GA State Patrol, GA Dept of Natural Resources, Woodland PD K9 Unit, GA State Patrol Aviation Division, GA State Patrol Dive Team, Talbot Co. Coroner’s Office, Upson EMS and Talbot EMS. A total of 45 persons from these various agencies have been involved in bank searches, water searches from 36 Bridge to Po Bidy Bridge, and a concentrated air search from 36 Bridge to Yellowjacket Shoals. Divers have been in the water since 2PM, entering after dual drag searches did not produce a body recovery. Divers hope to be successful in locating the victim before nightfall, Sunday, June 9, 2013. If necessary, dragging operations will resume on Monday and continue for the next several days in hopes of locating the victim. Further updates will be delivered as new information becomes available. Update 6.11.13: GSP Dive Team still searching the flint very methodically. DNR is also continuing sonar search. Volunteers of Upson EMA Rescue are still conducting bank searches as well as kayak/canoe excursions above Yellowjacket Shoals near Riverbend Restaurant. Pike County Times will update this page when more news becomes available. Update 6.12.13: A promising lead from last night did not bring about any positive results. Search and recovery operations continue. Upson EMA’s Rescue Unit remains on scene along with GSP’s Dive Team, DNR, Upson Co SO and Upson EMS. Georgia K9 Rescue Association has arrived on scene this afternoon, and will deploy in the river with DNR rangers. It is hoped that the cadaver K9 will pick up a scent and lead divers to the body. Upson EMA Rescue also put in kayaks and a canoe to search the area of Yellowjacket Shoals all the way to the Po Bidy Bridge again, in case the body surfaced during the night and has floated downstream. Many community members have brought bottled water, sports drinks, soft drinks and snack items to the command area. GA Forestry has been assisting EMA with logistical support with meal proceurement. Upson EMA is very grateful for the support shown thus far to our volunteers and our partner agencies. Further updates will be delivered as new information becomes available. Update 10 p.m. on 6.12.13: GSP’s Dive Team is suspending their operation, informing Upson EMA that the missing subject is not in the river between River Bridge and the top of Yellowjacket Shoals. Additionally, the river is mostly bedrock below Yellowjacket and is not conducive for dive operations due the number of shoals and the limited access to the river. Therefore, they are calling their mission complete at this time. If they are needed again, they will return to assist with recovery. DNR and Upson EMA Rescue will regroup in the morning deciding where to set up operations command to continue bank and ground searches, also paddle searches with kayaks and canoes. Again, terrain will hamper access to areas that need to be searched on foot. Air support will be requested again for tomorrow’s operation. And if no recovery is made, an “all call’ to volunteer rescue personnel from Upson and adjacent counties will puts lots of boots on the ground for a massive search Saturday that could span several miles of riverbank in Upson, Talbot and Taylor Counties. Further updates will be delivered as new information becomes available. [Note from the Editor: Thank you to Upson County Emergency Management Agency for updating the media on this situation. Pike County Times will continue to provides updates online as they are provided to me.] please keep ur prayers up
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:10:03 +0000
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