Troop D of the Water Patrol Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated three deaths and one near-drowning over the weekend, all of them in Shoal Creek.

A five year old boy drowned after his kayak hit a submerged log and the boat overturned Saturday evening.  The Patrol identifies the victim as Anthony Martinez of Webb City, Missouri.

Investigators say the youngster was pinned underneath the log and the kayak.  He was flown by helicopter ambulance to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, where he was pronounced dead.

One man was killed when he lost his footing near a dam and disappeared underwater near the Lime Kiln Access. Another man who tried to rescue him was also caught in the undercurrent and drowned.  The first victim was identified as Juan Santellano of Neosho.  The patrol identified the other man as Danni Lopez of Neosho.  Both men were swept downstream where their bodies resurfaced

An unusual accident Sunday afternoon left a Neosho man in serious condition.  According to the official report, Kevin Everett swam too close to the dam and got pulled in by the dam’s hydraulics.  Everett, 52, was transported to Freeman Neosho Hospital.