Cd'A woman drowns in Montana accident
SAR Coordinator Brian Heino and Park Ranger Scott Emmerich are seen with the overturned kayak.
Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2011 2:43 pm |
This just in from Flathead (Mont.) Sheriff Chuck Curry: On September 21, 2011, at approximately 12:54 pm, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office was notified of a boating accident on the North Fork River south of Polebridge. Initial reports indicated that a female victim, Shawna Thomas, 51, was trapped underwater.
Flathead County Sheriff's Office, North Valley Search and Rescue, the Flathead County Dive Rescue Team, Glacier National Park, Blankenship Fire, and Red Eagle Aviation were all dispatched to the area. Responders were led to the area of the accident which was approximately four miles south of Polebridge and half a mile east of the North Fork Road.
Rescuers discovered a submerged and partially collapsed kayak at a tight bend in the North Fork River. While water levels were low, the accelerated speed of the water around the bend developed a strong hydraulic force on the kayak. The kayak was a rigid framed collapsible kayak that had been caught between two root balls of trees that were hanging out over the water. The back end of the kayak had been caught and the force of the water twisted the front of the kayak around one of the root balls. This caused the kayak to roll over and also bend. The female occupant was caught in the partially collapsed vessel while her husband was washed out. He was not injured and attempted repeatedly to free the kayak. He was unsuccessful and went to the North Fork Road to flag down help.
Rescuers managed to free the kayak and found the victim inside. Deputy Coroner Jordan White identified the victim as Shawna Thomas, a 51 year old female of Coeur d'Alene, ID. She was pronounced dead at the scene and Red Eagle Aviation transported her and the kayak out of the scene by helicopter.
Thomas and her husband had extensive kayaking experience and were properly equipped and trained for the river and conditions. The hazard was difficult to see until they had come around the corner at which time there was little time to react. This was an unlikely accident which would have been difficult to anticipate or avoid.
Idaho woman drowns in kayaking accident in Montana
Posted by: "Tom Vines" tvines3@msn.com tvines3
Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:41 am (PDT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_bb59a474-e4c4-11e0-a5ae-001cc4c03286.html<http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_bb59a474-e4c4-11e0-a5ae-001cc4c03286.html>
Idaho woman drowns in kayaking accident in Montana
Associated Press | Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 8:42 pm | No Comments Posted
KALISPELL - Authorities say a 51-year-old Idaho woman drowned in the North Fork Flathead River in northwestern Montana after her inflatable kayak became tangled in tree roots.
Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry says the woman and her husband were in a two-seated kayak about two miles south of Polebridge when the accident happened at about 1 p.m. Wednesday. Curry says the kayak became entangled in a root ball before it folded, inverted and rolled over.
The woman and her 59-year-old husband were wearing life preservers, and The Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell reports the husband freed himself and flagged down help at a nearby road.
The victim's name and hometown are being withheld until relatives can be notified.
Copyright 2011 The Billings Gazette
Idaho woman drowns in kayaking accident in Montana
<http://www.chron.com/news/article/Idaho-woman-drowns-in-kayaking-accident-in-Montana-2182791.php> chron.com (09-21-11)
A 51-y/o Idaho woman drowned in the North Fork Flathead River in northwestern Montana after her inflatable kayak became tangled in tree roots. Flathead Co. Sheriff Chuck Curry says the woman and her husband were in a 2-seated kayak about 2 mi. S. of Polebridge when the accident happened at about 1 p.m. Wed. (09-21). The kayak became entangled in a root ball before it folded, inverted and rolled over. The woman and her 59-y/o husband were wearing life preservers, and the husband freed himself and flagged down help at a nearby road. The victim's name and hometown are being withheld until relatives can be notified.
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Idaho-woman-drowns-in-kayaking-accident-in-Montana-2182791.php
