Accident Database

Report ID# 757

Help
  • Swim into Strainer
  • PFD Not Worn or Present
  • Does not Apply
  • Solo Paddling

Accident Description

Guidebook author Don Morris reported a death on the South Branch of the Grass River in Upstate New York. Sometime this past June a Mr. Bryant, 68, put in at the Spruce Mountain Road Access in a 12' canoe. Despite the fact that the river below here contains Class II-III whitewater, Mr. Bryant was paddling alone without a PFD.

Some time later he washed over Copper Rock Falls, a 10-12' drop into a nasty hole. There were two spruce trees lying across the falls, and he was found pinned against one of these. The ranger speculated that Mr. Bryant either flipped in the approach rapid and swam the falls or made it through the approach rapids upright but missed the final eddy.

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