KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Investigators have not yet identified the man found dead in the Missouri River over the weekend. A fisherman found the body late Saturday, and all we know right now is he had been in the water for quite some time.
Troopers say it is not related to the drowning of another man who died Saturday morning when the Missouri River current took him under.
Troopers said 22-year-old Josh Reek of Independence, Mo., was wading in the Missouri River, fishing with friends near LeBenite Park and 291 Highway, when the river swept him away. The Highway Patrol searched for 10 hours before finding his body.
Reek is the fourth person in the metro to drown this month and the13th person in the state of Missouri to drown this year. As the summer heat begins to grip the city, many people will be heading to lakes and rivers to cool off.
The Highway Patrol wants to remind you to stay safe.
Troopers say last year, 90 percent of the people who drowned in Missouri were *not* wearing a life jacket.
The law states that all children under 8 years old must wear a life jacket in rivers and lakes.
Those who have drowned in Missouri so far this year range in age from 17 to 72. Troopers also want to remind water seekers to not drink too much alcohol if they plan on being in the water.
Troopers say the current from the Missouri River is strong and unpredictable, making it dangerous for anyone to go in without a life jacket. Those who do go into the river do so at their own risk.
