Accident Database

Report ID# 354

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  • Equipment Trap
  • PFD Fell Off
  • Does not Apply
  • One Boat Trip

Accident Description

On May 8th a man rented a raft for a run on the Lower Youghiogheny near Ohiopyle, Pa. He tied a line from the bow to the stern so that he could hold himself in. This was a bad idea, and it worked entirely too well. The raft flipped at the top of Dimple Rapid, and he was held underneath the rapid and dragged for some distance. His life jacket was pulled off during the accident by the force of the water, and he was so badly entangled that he had to be cut loose by rescuers some distance downstream.

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