On June 29th a guided raft flipped in Middle Keaney Rapids in West Virginia's New River Gorge. The flow was 8,000 cfs, a near-optimal level that creates huge breaking waves here. Five occupants of the raft, along with the guide, were picked up by other rafts. But Morgan Funk, 15, washed into a dangerous rock sieve at the top of Lower Keaney known as Meatgrinder. These rocks, the site of a previous fatality, are very difficult to reach. Guides and private paddlers mobilized to help her, and were eventually joined by Park Service and fire-rescue personnel. They were not successful.
