Body Found In Arkansas River Identified

A body found in the Arkansas River Monday night has been identified. Franklin County deputies say the body found is that of Lenny Steward, 26. Deputies say Steward was fishing with his friends and family Sunday evening when the current took him down. Friend Jeremy Crider was with Steward, and says he tried to grab him. "I got a hold of him swimming towards the tree. The current was pulling us back us in. He pulled me under and he let go," says Crider. Stewards wife Melissa also tried to jump in to rescue him, but her sister-in-law stopped her. "I just turned around. I have to be here for the kids. I wanted to go with him, but, I couldnt. I have to be here for these kids," she says. Family friend Jason Cole found Stewards body. Cole says he searched all day Monday. Then went back later that night to keep looking. Cole says he found the body about a half mile down from where the accident happened. Steward has a three-year-old son, and another son due in August. The family says Steward was an excellent fisherman, and died doing what he loves best. Stewards family and Franklin County deputies are warning people about the dangers of the river, and say to stay out of the water when there has been heavy rainfall. If you would like to make a donation to the Steward family, you can do so at any Arvest or Metropolitan National Banks under the Lenny Steward Memorial Account Fund.