Body of missing fisherman recovered near Denison Dam

DENISON, Texas (KXII) - Crews recovered the body of a fisherman who went missing in the Red River Friday afternoon.

“It’s a very unfortunate event,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain Scott Hampton.

After three days of searching, at 8:30 am on Monday, a Texas DPS helicopter spotted the missing 43-year-old fisherman, John Franklin Johnson, in nine foot deep water off the north shore and about 250 yards east from where witnesses say they last saw him.

“This was a team effort that led to the recovery and trying to bring some closure to this family,” said Hampton.

OHP said there was a chance he may have had a small fisherman flotation device on when he entered the water, but it was no longer on him when they recovered Johnson’s body.

And with warmer weather here, they urge others to make sure they bring a life preserver to the river.

“Always have a personal flotation device with you, and if you are in or around the water, have it on,” said Hampton.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Johnson was in the Red River at the Denison Dam as the sirens sounded to warn that water generation would begin soon.

The water released and quickly flooded the rocks he was standing on.

“Anyone that’s going to be doing something along the Red River needs to be aware of the generation schedule and the time frames at which the army corps is going to open up the dam for generation because it poses a significant threat for everyone on the river,” said Hampton.

Before you come to the Denison Dam, OHP said it’s a good idea to check when the generator will open.

On the Oklahoma side of the river, there is also a sign out front to scan with the schedule.

There is a Meal Train for the family, a Venmo (@JenileeJohnson), and an account set up at First United Bank in Durant to help the Johnson’s family, including his wife and kids.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, park rangers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colbert and Cartwright EMS & Fire Departments, and Choctaw Nation Emergency Management assisted in the recovery.

Original story:

DENISON, Texas (KXII) - Crews are searching for a missing man in the Red River at the Denison Dam Friday afternoon.

Officials on scene said it happened just before 3 p.m. when a man standing in the middle of the rocks went into the water.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, park rangers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colbert and Cartwright EMS & Fire Departments, and Choctaw Nation Emergency Management are all scene assisting in the search and rescue.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say the male was standing in the middle of the Red River as the sirens were blaring before the water was released.

Watch News 12 tonight for updated information.

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