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Accident Database: Accident #865
| River: | New |
| Section: | 6. New River Gorge: Cunard to Fayette Station |
| Location: | Meatgrinder |
| Gauge: | 8000 cfs |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | IV |
| Accident Code(s): | Swim Into Undercut Trap |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 15 |
| Private/Commercial: | Commercial |
| Boat Type: | Raft |
| Number of Occupants: | 6 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | Natural Strainer or Sieve |
| Summary: | On June 29th a guided raft flipped in Middle Keaney Rapids in West Virginia's New River Gorge. The flow was 8,000 cfs, a near-optimal level that creates huge breaking waves here. Five occupants of the raft, along with the guide, were picked up by other rafts. But Morgan Funk, 15, washed into a dangerous rock sieve at the top of Lower Keaney known as Meatgrinder. These rocks, the site of a previous fatality, are very difficult to reach. Guides and private paddlers mobilized to help her, and were eventually joined by Park Service and fire-rescue personnel. They were not successful. |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |
