FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– A Lexington man has been identified as the victim of a kayaking accident on Elkhorn Creek.
The man, later identified as 35-year-old Matthew Hughes, was reportedly kayaking with a friend when they got too close to the dam.
Hughes got caught in the undertow and was found dead near Colston Lane. His friend was rescued.
We’re told two kayakers went around a low head dam, but they put in too close to the dam. One of them got sucked into the undertow. He was able to hold onto a rope for almost 2 minutes before going under water @LEX18News
— Jacqueline Nie (@JacquelineLEX18) October 8, 2018
Fish and wildlife officials are in charge of the death investigation.
Melton said that both kayakers did everything they should to be safe.
“He was wearing a life vest, so he was doing everything that he was supposed to be doing. Just water, as you can tell, is flowing very rapidly. You always have to be careful, you always have to watch what you’re doing. Dams are notorious for that undertow,” said Melton.
