Highway Patrol report: Carl Junction man drowned on Center Creek after leaving kayak for unknown reason

The drowning of a Carl Junction man on Center Creek,  1.5 miles downstream for the MO 43 access 4:53 p.m. Monday came after he left the kayak he was in "for unknown reasons," according to the Highway Patrol report.

Jason Baker, 53, was forced under the water and following a search, members of the Carl Junction Fire Department located Baker in a strainer, the report said.







Jasper County Coroner Rob Chappel pronounced Baker dead at the scene.

The drowning was the first of the month for Highway Patrol Troop D and the sixth drowning in 2019.