Accident Database

Report ID# 3505

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Accident Description

Sharon G. Hughes was one of seven family members and a guide in a raft that hit log jam in the middle of the afternoon. Six family members were able to climb out of the raft onto the log jam, said Sgt. Mike Harris. But the raft flipped over with Hughes and the guide in it, throwing them both into the water. Harris said the woman was swept under the log jam, but washed back out after being under it for one to two minutes. Harris said the guide pulled the woman across the river to the opposite bank. But she died on the shore despite efforts to revive her with CPR before the arrival of rescuers, who were called at 2:34 p.m.

Woman dies on Wenatchee raft trip

Monday, July 4, 2011

LEAVENWORTH — A 69-year-old Manson woman drowned on a guided rafting trip on the Wenatchee River on Sunday. Sharon G. Hughes was one of seven family members and a guide in a raft that hit log jam in the middle of the afternoon. Six family members were able to climb out of the raft onto the log jam, said Sgt. Mike Harris. But the raft flipped over with Hughes and the guide in it, throwing them both into the water. Harris said the woman was swept under the log jam, but washed back out after being under it for one to two minutes.

Harris said the guide pulled the woman across the river to the opposite bank. But she died on the shore despite efforts to revive her with CPR before the arrival of rescuers, who were called at 2:34 p.m. The woman's husband, Wiliam Hughes, 70, fell off the log jam and was washed downriver for a short distance to the KOA Kampground, where he was able to get out of the river on his own. Harris said the man was treated for minor injuries at Central Washington Hospital. The trip started near Leavenworth's Wilson Street and the accident took place near Riverbend Drive, also near Leavenworth. There were no other serious injuries. — Wenatchee World staff

Another fatality - Wenatchee River

Woman drowns in rafting accident on Wenatchee River - KCPQ

This one hits close to home as I do this stretch all the time with my custys. Details are still coming out. This one is going to affect all of us that run this stretch- it's ugly on the left (logs and sieves) and a lot of boulder dodging on the right. Not sure how the woman got over to the log, but I know it was cut out yesterday and a new one flushed in last night.

My condolences go out to the family and my support out to the guide.

 

Woman drowns in rafting accident on Wenatchee River

Victim got pulled under log jam when raft flipped

Q13 FOX News Online Web Reporter July 3, 2011

WENATCHEE — A 69-year-old Manson woman drowned in a rafting accident on the Wenatchee River Sunday afternoon, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said. Sheriff’s Lt. Maria Agnew said the victim, Sharon Hughes, was on a guided rafting trip on the Wenatchee with seven other occupants when it came upon a log jam in the river. The raft occupants were unable to paddle around it and were caught up against the logs, Agnew said.

 

The guide was able to get all the occupants out of the boat except the victim, who was caught underneath the log jam when the raft flipped over. The guide was able to pull the victim from the log jam and get to her to shore. CPR was administered until help arrived. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. William Hughes, 70, another occupant of the raft, was transported to Central Washington Hospital and treated for minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

 

Copyright © 2011, KCPQ-TV kcpq-woman-drowns-in-rafting-accident-on-wenatchee-river-20110703

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