Wyoming man dies in Montana kayaking accident

A 65-year-old Wyoming man who died in a weekend kayaking accident in south-central Montana was a long-time member of the Park County, Wyoming search and rescue team and was the leader of its swift-water rescue team.

Carbon County officials said Edward Conning of Cody, Wyoming, died Sunday after his kayak became submerged under a downed tree on Rock Creek south of Red Lodge.

The coroner’s office says Conning drowned.

Lance Mathess, spokesman for the Park County Wyoming Sheriff’s Office, said Conning was a 20-year member of the volunteer search and rescue team and served as a mentor to new team members. He chaired the training committee and was an experienced high-angle rope rescue technician.