Utah ’s Westwater Canyon is a straightforward Class IV whitewater run in a beautiful desert canyon. On October 4, 1999 it was flowing at approximately 6,800 cfs with a water temperature of 58 degrees. A group of two rafts including Max Turner, 29, attempted the run. The paddlers were fit, but had limited experience.

Turner was in the first boat of a two-boat party. His paddle raft flipped in Skull Hole, then he and three other members of his party washed into the Room of Doom, a nasty eddy.  His leg got caught by a loose bow line, and he was pushed against the rock wall, and trapped against a pillow on the left side. The raft was stuck, too, apparently snagged by the same bow line that trapped Turner. The second raft also flipped in the hole. All hands washed down through the next three rapids into a flat pool before they were able to get to shore and right the raft. Since they were behind the paddle boat they knew there had been a flip, but could do nothing to help.

Three kayakers showed up 10-15 minutes after this happened. They were able to enter the room, climb up the wall, and throw a line to Max, but he could not grab hold. No one could get to him at river level. He had been holding on for at least 15 more minutes when our group showed up. Our two strongest boaters paddled into the room, but could not help him. Later, more paddlers arrived. Max survived for about 45 minutes longer before he finally went under for the last time. All of this happened in full view of his mother and brother, who were also on the trip.

After Turner died, a very strong kayaker from Salt Lake City climbed, hand over hand, down the cliff to the overturned raft and was able to cut it free. Turner’s body stayed in the same place, presumably held by the line. Eventually his life vest was pulled off, and he disappeared from view. Several days later they were still searching for the body.

At about 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. a group paddled down stream to call for help. Four other kayakers stayed with the rafters over night, donating their extra layers of clothing, food, and water. All that was in the paddle raft was two waterlogged dry bags containing a bunch of wet cotton clothing and empty beer cans. BLM rangers left from the put-in at 3:55 a.m., as soon as the moon was up.  At 6:00 a.m. National Park Service rangers drove a jet boat upstream and returned at 9:30 a.m. with the paddlers. They then went back up to bring back rescuers and gear

SOURCE: Lisa Wilk, Aida Parkinson, NPS Morning Report

ANALYSIS:  (Walbridge)

1. The danger of loose lines in whitewater is well documented. Incidents like this will help motivate us to stow all rope on river boats with great care.

2. A Westwater Canyon ranger observed that until this year there had been no deaths on the river for 15 years. Another accident, occurring in May, involved this same rapid. The victim was older, and shock of cold water may have caused a heart attack. He died while climbing out of the Room of Doom.