Rippey man hurt on Des Moines River

BOONE — A 42-year-old Rippey man was among two injured Saturday when the personal water crafts (PWCs) they were operating on the Des Moines River hit an obstruction near the surface.

Christian Whitney was transported to Boone County Hospital, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Kevin Davis, 42, of Johnston, was later transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Whitney and Davis were operating separate PWCs about 7 p.m. when the collision occurred near U.S. Highway 30 west of Boone.

Both were wearing life jackets, according to the DNR, which likely saved their lives after being thrown into the river.

A third PWC operator in the group, 30-year-old Alexander Goodburn, of Ankeny, was not involved in the collision, but was arrested for boating while intoxicated and booked into the Boone County Jail.

The DNR is investigating the incident.

Contact Us

Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161