Accident Database: Accident #471

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River: Payette, main stem
Reach #:
Payette [ID]
low
01h29m
Section: Below Banks
Location: The Play Wave
Water Level: Medium
Difficulty: III
Accident Code(s): PFD fell off (Horsecollar)
Injury Code(s): Fatal
Age: 35
Experienced/Inexperienced: Inexperienced
Private/Commercial: Private
Boat Type: Raft
Number of Occupants: 3
Number of Victims: 1
Detailed Description:

On August 6, 1997 Douglas Balls, 35, drowned on the Main Payette River near Boise, ID. His raft flipped at a rapid that guides call “Go left or you’re fired.” Balls’ group entered on the right hit a rock, and flipped. Three passengers were helped to shore but Balls drowned after he was pulled under the surface. His bright orange  “horse collar” life jacket came off as he was pulled under the surface.

 

SOURCE: Vince Thompson, Vince’s Whitewater Page

 

 

Conclusions:

ANALYSIS: (Walbridge) Tom Long of Cascade Rafting Co. was quoted in the Idaho Statesman saying “The rafters didn’t know the river. But one piece of equipment would have saved this persons life – a life jacket. Not a rubber ducky, not water wings, not a pool toy – a real life jacket.” Type II horse collars are intended for flat water use. They are extremely hard to fit properly and will come off unless they are put on exactly right. They offer no back protection either. Anyone smart enough to adjust one correctly probably already owns a vest-type life preserver.

 

Report Status: Completed
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