Fisherman drowns Friday
CHANDRA HUSTON
Bulletin Staff Writer

He was known as DiggerH on some of the forums.


A Ponca City, Okla., man visiting Mountain Home for the Federation of Fly Fishers' Southern Council Conclave drowned Friday night in the White River.

According to the Baxter County Sheriff's Department, Stephen Wayne Huston, 55, drowned while fly fishing with a friend.

Baxter County Sgt. Ken Grayham said Huston and his friend were fishing on the White River, off of Denton Ferry Road. The two were at one of the river's islands when the friend, also from Oklahoma, said he looked away to gather fishing equipment. When he turned back around, Huston was missing.

Grayham said the friend searched for Huston for about 10 minutes before heading back to land and calling 911 at about 6 p.m.

The Baxter County Sheriff's helicopter, along with boats from local resorts, were used in the search. Lt. Rick Lucy said he spotted the victim floating in the water, about one mile from where he'd last been seen, from the helicopter and directed ground units to the location.

Grayham said Cpl. Mike Holland and Cotter Chief Ron Weaver jumped in the water to retrieve Huston, and Cotter fire personnel began administering CPR.

The victim was found at 7:30 p.m., nearly an hour and a half after he went under.

Paramedics tried to revive Huston for approximately 20 minutes but were unable to do so.

chuston@baxterbulletin.com




[This message has been edited by danoinark (edited 08 October 2005).]