Body of missing Marion doctor is found
The body of Marion osteopathic physician John Barr, 47, who was reported missing Monday during a gyrocopter flight from Kansas to South Dakota, was found Wednesday near Codington County in southeast South Dakota.
Dr. Barr was reported as flying out of Kansas City in his two-seater blue and white gyrocopter, headed for Watertown, S.D. The physician was employed in South Dakota and often flew between his home in Marion and his practice in South Dakota.
He recently had purchased the gyrocopter and learned to fly the unique aircraft, said to be an extremely safe mode of transportation. The gyrocopter has a rotary wing, like a helicopter, and a propeller behind the cabin with thrust toward the tail.
He often flew over Marion. His family, wife and two sons, lives south of Marion on the Coble Street road.
He refueled at 11:30 p.m. Sunday at Sioux Falls, S.D. The unique craft was reported north of Renner, S.D., near midnight.
By Tuesday crews with Civil Air Patrol had narrowed the search to a gravel pit between Milbank and Watertown, S.D.
His wife, Caroline, went from Marion to South Dakota to assist.
Barr did not file a flight plan because they are not required for gyrocopters, according to KELO-TV, Rapid City, S.D.
Lt. Mary Lang of the Civil Air Patrol said five aircraft and three ground teams were searching in the Watertown area on Tuesday.
The wreckage was found shortly after midday Wednesday by searchers from the air and on the ground.
