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Accident Database: Accident #258
| River: | New |
| Section: | 6. New River Gorge: Cunard to Fayette Station |
| Location: | Lower Keany-Meatgrinder |
| Gauge: | 13,000 cfs |
| Water Level: | High |
| Difficulty: | IV+ |
| Accident Code(s): | Swim to Entrapment |
| Injury Code(s): | Facial Lacerations, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Commercial |
| Boat Type: | Raft |
| Number of Occupants: | 7 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Detailed Description: | On May 9, the
New River
in
West Virginia
was running at 13,000 cfs, a high spring level. Cheryl Taylor, a rafting guest with one of the
New River
's most respected outfitters, fell out of her raft in Middle Keaney. She was washed into "Flint Rock" in
Lower Keaney
and became pinned solidly in a 12" wide crack. Despite rescue efforts by several rafting companies she could not be recovered in time to save her life. Three others who fell out were not injured and were recovered downstream.
|
| Conclusions: | Mrs. Taylor's husband sued the outfitter, Class VI river runners, unsuccessfully. |
| Report Status: | Completed |
