RAFTER DIES IN ALASKA
June 27: The Klutina is a large volume class III run northeast of Valdez . Paul Marshall, 64, was on a commercial raft when the boat got caught in a pourover and flipped near Copper Center . Everyone fell into the water, and all except the victim made it to shore.
SOURCE: Anchorage Daily News via Steve Robinson
ANALYSIS: The power and speed of the Alaskan rivers, combined with their icy cold water, makes swims dangerous. Protective gear must be worn, and one-boat trips are strongly discouraged because of the lack of safety backup.