Man Kayaking on Green Creek Has to Be Rescued by Dive Rescue Team

A 27-year-old area man had to be rescued from flood waters Thursday afternoon after kayaking on Green Creek.

Timothy Schlink, Jr. of Effingham was kayaking with a friend, 26-year-old Zachary Allie of Effingham north of the city when Schlink's kayak struck something, causing the kayak to capsize. Effingham County Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Kuhns said Schlink was able to reach a partially submerged tree and hang on. Meanwhile, Allie made to the creek bank. When Allie looked a short distance downstream, he spotted two men working on a culvert and called out for help. 

The two men turned out to be Douglas Township Road Commissioner Rich Mette and Sigel Fire Chief Dave Koester. They phoned the sheriff's department who in turn contacted the Effingham County Dive Rescue Team for assistance.

Eventually, a rescue crew reached Schlink and got him to safety. An Abbott EMS crew examined Schlink at the scene. The ambulance crew did not take him for treatment.

The incident occurred a half-mile east of 1400th Street on 1975th Avenue, west of Green Creek Church.