RUSSELL, Ky.

Saturday, July 14, 2001

RUSSELL, Ky. – After almost three days, the Ohio River surrendered the body of Randy Adkins, 45, the Coal Grove man who drowned after an accident early Tuesday afternoon.

According to Earl Buckler a boating officer with the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department, Adkins was discovered late yesterday afternoon near Greenup Park by a work barge crew. Buckler recovered the body from the water about one-half mile from the Greenup Locks and Dam – about six miles from the point Adkins was last seen.

Search team members from Russell spent Thursday afternoon looking for Adkins’ body along both the Ohio and Kentucky river banks, searching from the location witnesses say Adkins went under to a place in the river where the current shifts, almost a mile down stream. Search team members visually scanned the murky water and searched for the body among floating debris.

Search crews also used a dog trained in cadaver rescue. Bill Floyd from Apple Grove, W.Va. and his dog, Bobo, gave searchers two possible locations of the body. Although the area was canvassed by the team the body was not found.

Adkins and his brother, Greg, were boating in the river Tuesday and docked up at the Ironton-Russell Bridge. Randy Adkins went in the water to swim, but went into distress. Greg Adkins jumped in to try to save his brother to no avail.

Rescuers were able to pull Greg Adkins from the water, but could not get to Randy Adkins in time.