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Accident Database: Accident #2275
| River: | Colorado |
| Section: | Lees Ferry to Lake Mead (Grand Canyon) |
| Location: | Crystal Rapids |
| Gauge: | |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | IV |
| Accident Code(s): | Long Swim (L.S.) |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal |
| Age: | 62 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Experienced |
| Years Paddling: | >10 |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Raft |
| Boat Manufacturer: | |
| Boat Model: | |
| Number of Occupants: | 2 |
| Number in Group: | 8 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Other Victim Names: | |
| Hazard Codes: | Water Temp |
| Initial Report: |
From: "Riverwire"
Date: May 27, 2007 8:08:00 PM PDT
To:
Subject: Drowning Determined As Cause of Crystal Rapid Fatality
RRFW Riverwire – Drowning Determined As Cause of Crystal Rapid Fatality
May 27, 2007
A fatality at Crystal Rapid on March 30, 2007 has been determined to be a drowning. Marc Allred, 62 years old, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was rowing the Colorado River in Grand Canyon with 11 other people when the accident occurred. Reports indicate that the group of 6 rafts and a kayaker scouted and then ran the rapid, with Mr. Allred in last position. Although his raft did not flip, he was thrown into the turbulent water of the first hole while attempting to run the right side. His passenger was also thrown from the boat but was rescued unharmed.
An initial toxicology report showed an abnormally high level of alcohol, but according to Dr. Lawrence Czarnecki, Coconino County Medical Examiner, the reported level was so elevated that it would have caused death due to alcohol poisoning even before arrival at Crystal Rapid. This finding prompted a 2nd toxicology study which ruled out alcohol or drugs as a contributing cause of Mr. Allred’s death. A cardiac arrest or laryngeal spasm (where breathing does not resume even after surfacing) was also ruled out. Mr. Allred was well-outfitted, wearing a type III life jacket, wetsuit, neoprene booties and a spray jacket at the time of the incident.
Crystal Rapid holds the record as the most lethal rapid in Grand Canyon, with a total of 6 fatalities split evenly between commercial and self guided trips. “This may be due to the long swim potential with temporary entrapment in the Crystalhole” notes Dr. Tom Myers, co-author of Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon, and an avid river runner himself.
River Runners for Wilderness extends our deepest sympathy to the friends, family and fellow trip participants of these river runners and also urges the utmost caution while navigating Crystal Rapid. |
| Summary: | |
| Detailed Description: | |
| Conclusions: | |
| Report Status: | On Going |
