| River: | Saluda |
|---|---|
| Reach #: |
Saluda [SC]
|
| Section: | 4 - Lake Murray Dam to Broad/Congaree confluence |
| Location: | Stacey's Ledge, just above Mill Race |
| Gauge: | 4000 cfs |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | III |
| Accident Code(s): | Equipment trap |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal |
| Age: | 50 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Open Canoe |
| Number of Occupants: | 2 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Summary: | The Saluda River near Columbia, SC has been the site of a very successful whitewater rodeo. It was reported to rec.boats.paddle that the river level on September 12th was 4000 cfs, forming big-water Class III+ rapids. That afternoon, after the rodeo, a tandem open canoe flipped in Stacy's Ledge, 150 yards above the Millrace, and washed downstream. Newspaper articles sent in by Bryce Fox reported that one man swam to shore safely. The other, Richard Cribbs, 50, became entangled in some lines tied to the canoe. Kayakers made frantic efforts to rescue him without success. His life vest slipped off, and he disappeared from view. Divers recovered the body four days later. |
| Detailed Description: | The
Just after the rodeo a tandem canoe flipped in Stacey’s ledge, just above Millrace Rapid. Local kayakers who were playing the rapid rescued one man. A second man, Richard Cribbs, 50, became entangled in a line attached to their canoe. The kayakers cut the line and tried to pull him in, but as they did his life vest slipped off. He lost consciousness and went under. A search was organized, and the body was recovered four days later.
SOURCE: The State,
|
| Conclusions: | ANALYSIS: (WALBRIDGE) Although the pair was wearing life vests, they failed to store loose lines securely. It’s a common, and often fatal, mistake.
|
| Report Status: | Completed |
(RSS)
(KML)help
(mobile)