Arkansas to evaluate riverbed after kayaker died in sinkhole

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas has hired a consultant to evaluate a stretch of river where a kayaker drowned this month when he was dragged into a rare sinkhole created a whirlpool.

Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston says experts will begin evaluating the Spring River on Monday. The sinkhole area is closed to the public.

Officials say 64-year-old Donald Wright of Searcy died in the June 9 accident near Saddler Falls.

A statement from Thurston's office says the matter is of utmost importance, especially with the anticipated increase of traffic with the upcoming July Fourth holiday.

Officials say sinkholes are common in the northern half of Arkansas, where subterranean limestone easily erodes.