Accident Database: Accident #426

  Help
River: Hudson
Reach #:
Hudson [NY]
1. Indian River to North River III-IV
med
01h33m
[detail]
Section: Upper Hudson
Location: Harris Rift
Gauge: 4.2'
Water Level: Low
Difficulty: III
Accident Code(s): Foot Entrapment
Injury Code(s): Fatal
Experienced/Inexperienced: Inexperienced
Private/Commercial: Commercial
Boat Type: Raft
Number of Occupants: 3
Number of Victims: 1
Summary:

On June 26, 1996, Peter Duffy, 44, died on a commercial rafting trip on the Upper Hudson River near North Creek, NY . This was the last weekend of the spring rafting season; the Hudson was running at 4.2 feet, a low level that made the run mostly Class III. Duffy's raft went over a small pourover in Harris Rift, the last major rapid, and he fell into the river. Facing upstream, he attempted to stand, caught his right foot between two rocks, and was pushed under. His life jacket was stripped off, and he was trapped under 3 feet of water. It took the guides 2 1/2 hours to recover his body.

 

 

SOURCE: Richard Morse; Adirondack Post-Star

Detailed Description: ANALYSIS: (Walbridge) Foot entrapment rescues are very difficult. You might as well step in front of a speeding car as get your foot caught in a fast moving river. The victim was warned, but failed to follow instructions
Report Status: Completed