Old browser warning
Site look funky? Your browser is so old standards-based layouts and styling confuse it. Consider updating. One excellent option is Mozilla Firefox, versions of which are available for Linux, Mac and Windows.
Accident Database: Accident #807
| River: | Cache La Poudre |
| Section: | Narrows |
| Difficulty: | V |
| Accident Code(s): | While Solo Boating |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 26 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Experienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Kayak - Play Boat |
| Boat Manufacturer: | Wavesport |
| Boat Model: | Ace 5.1 |
| Number of Occupants: | 1 |
| Number in Group: | 1 |
| Summary: | Kayaker Andy Leifheit was driving along the Narrows of Colorado’s Poudre River on May 31 when he spotted a solo kayaker below a big drop, struggling to roll against a steep cliff. As described in a post to Mountainbuzz.com, he grabbed a PFD, helmet, and throw bag and scrambled down the steep banks to assist. He found an empty kayak floating in a roadside eddy. Heading downstream, he found several river guides at a roadside access and reported the incident. Driving back upstream, he was flagged down by a woman just above the Lower Narrows Bridge. She and her companion had just pulled a man out of the river. His helmet was missing and there were several severe head wounds. They began CPR; other boaters arrived at the scene, and one of them, an EMT, took over. They continued until authorities arrived. Several days later the lone paddler was identified as L.W Jenks, a 26-year-old truck driver whose car was found at an upstream campground. |
| Link: | http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/396417 |
| Report Status: | Completed |
