(KAIR)--A former Benedictine College student is believed dead after saving the life of a woman who fell into the Arkansas River. 

An extensive search effort was launched for  24-year-old Brian Bergkamp following his July 9th disappearance. 

According to The Wichita Eagle, Bergkamp, not wearing a life jacket, was swept away by strong river currents following the rescue effort. 

It happened while he and a group of friends, including the woman, were kayaking. She fell into the water when the kayak she was aboard hit unstable waters. Bergkamp dove in to save her. 
She, and the others, made it to safety. 

According to CNS News, Bergkamp is now presumed dead, and friends and family Tuesday began holding vigils for the recovery of his body. 

According to Steve Johnson, the Director of Marketing & Communications for Benedictine College, Bergkamp attended the Atchison-based college for one academic year, fall of 2010 and the spring of 2011.  

Bergkamp, a seminarian from the Wichita Diocese, was most recently studying at a seminary in Maryland.