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Accident Database: Accident #37

River: Arkansas
Section: Royal Gorge
Location: Squeeze Box
Gauge: 2600
Water Level: Medium
Difficulty: V
Accident Code(s): L.S. on a Comm. Trip
Injury Code(s): Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal
Experienced/Inexperienced: Experienced
Private/Commercial: Commercial
Boat Type: Raft
Number of Occupants: 3
Number of Victims: 1
Summary:

A commercial rafting guest with considerable canoeing experience died in Royal Gorge after the commercial raft he was in flipped in Squeezebox Rapid. All passengers got to shore except for the victim, who washed nearly three miles downstream! A second boat caught up with him; the guide brought him ashore and began CPR. He was evacuated by rail car to a waiting ambulance then transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were contusions on his left temple suggesting a possible head injury.

Source: Casey Swanson

Report Status: Completed