FORT SMITH, Ark. — The body of a man who drowned during a kayaking accident has been found in Lake Fort Smith.
According to Crawford Couty Sheriff Ron Brown, the man was kayaking Tuesday (March 3) when his boat turned over and he fell into the water.
The man has been identified as 36-year-old Viet Hung Than from Harris, Texas. The next of kin has been notified.
Brown says that around 10:30 a.m. a wildlife officer saw a man putting his kayak into the water that matched the description of the kayak that was found.
An eyewitness told police that they saw a man clinging to a capsized kayak.
By the time park rangers got their boat into the water to search for the man, he had already gone under the water.
The cold temperature of the water made the search difficult.
Brown says the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recovered the body around 3:50 p.m. Wednesday (March 4). Investigators say the body was found about 70 feet underwater.
Crews used sonar to help narrow down areas to send divers into the water.
Hung Than's truck was found near the boat dock close to where the kayak was found.
Investigators tell 5NEWS that they believe alcohol may have played a factor in the drowning. They also found a diary in his truck that led them to believe he was in between homes at the moment and was likely traveling.
Man drowns on Lake Fort Smith
Stay with 5NEWS for updates on this developing story.