Body of Ala. kayaker found in Gadsden creek

GADSDEN, Ala. - The body of a 25-year-old Alabama man swept out of his kayak on a swollen creek has been found.

Gadsden Assistant Fire Chief Jim Matlock tells The Gadsden Times that Dakota Brett Crandall's body was found Sunday morning. Crandall was on Big Wills Creek on Saturday when he was swept out of the kayak near a dam.

Vicky Ryan, a member of the Etowah County Rescue Squad died Saturdaynight after her boat capsized during the search for Crandall. Three other squad members were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment.

Matlock says firefighters used ropes to retrieve Crandall's body on Sunday without putting a boat into the swollen creek after recent heavy rains.

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