By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A river outing didn't go quite as planned Thursday afternoon at Salina's Bill Burke Park.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that two people were trying to launch a boat into the Smoky Hill River at Bill Burke Park at approximately 3:30 p.m. Thursday. While doing so, they neglected to put the 2003 Ford F150 they were driving into park while not in the pickup. The pickup and boat trailer rolled into the river and became submerged, Forrester said.

The Salina Fire Department and a local wrecker service responded and were able to pull the pickup and trailer out of the river.

Forrester said one of the people attempting to launch the boat fled the scene before police arrived as he had an active warrant. Officers are still looking for the man, Forrester said.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA river outing didn't go quite as planned Thursday afternoon at Salina's Bill Burke Park.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that two people were trying to launch a boat into the Smoky Hill River at Bill Burke Park at approximately 3:30 p.m. Thursday. While doing so, they neglected to put the 2003 Ford F150 they were driving into park while not in the pickup. The pickup and boat trailer rolled into the river and became submerged, Forrester said.The Salina Fire Department and a local wrecker service responded and were able to pull the pickup and trailer out of the river.Forrester said one of the people attempting to launch the boat fled the scene before police arrived as he had an active warrant. Officers are still looking for the man, Forrester said.

Pickup, trailer become submerged during boat launch at Bill Burke Park