Father, 4-year-old daughter die after kayak capsizes

WARRICK COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — A father and his young daughter are dead after their kayak capsized.

Conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources say that 33-year-old Joshua Varner and 4-year-old Vivian Varner of Newburgh have died in the incident.

DNR says they were kayaking on Blue Grass Pit at the Blue Grass Fish and Wildlife Area in Warrick County on Thursday night.

A family member alerted authorities around 7:15 p.m. that the pair had not returned on time.

Around 9:45 p.m., the Varners were found floating in the water. Joshua was pronounced dead on the scene. Vivian was taken to a hospital in Evansville where she later died.

DNR says their kayak was found capsized about 500 yards away. They were not wearing lifejackets when they were found.