Photo By: Don Mason/ ThinkStock
Photo By: Don Mason/ ThinkStock
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Authorities are warning kayakers and canoeists about the dangers of paddling in western Michigan's rain-swollen Kalamazoo River, where at least eight boaters overturned within a few hours.

The Allegan County sheriff's department says four kayakers overturned late Sunday morning in the fast-moving currents in Plainwell. Undersheriff Frank Baker says county and city crews rescued them uninjured.

Baker says another kayaker overturned upstream in Gun Plain Township two hours later, and a canoe with three people aboard overturned two hours after that. He says all four were safely rescued.

He says in a statement that Sunday's accidents followed kayak rescues Tuesday in the Kalamazoo River in Plainwell.

Baker says "currents are extremely strong and fast," and there are underwater hazards that spell trouble for "even the most experienced kayaker or rafter."

-AP

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