| River: | Selway |
| Section: | 1 - Paradise to Selway Falls |
| Location: | Ladle |
| Gauge: | 4.8 ft |
| Water Level: | High |
| Difficulty: | IV |
| Accident Code(s): | Long Swim (L.S.) |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 58 |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Raft |
| Number of Occupants: | 2 |
| Number in Group: | 16 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | High Water |
| Summary: | Ladle Rapid is the most formidable drop on Idaho's magnificent Selway River. The gauge at the put-in on June 5th read roughly 4.8 feet; not unreasonably high, but still big water. According to Vince Thompson's Idaho Whitewater Page, Gail Sparwasser, 58, was a part of a large party of 16 people in 13 rafts. She and her husband, both of whom had done the river before, ran first in a 14' self-bailing oar-frame boat. Their raft capsized in big waves and holes, throwing them into the water. Other rafts in the party gave chase, but at this level Ladle is one of a long chain of drops with big waves and holes. The river is wide and turbulent here, so finding a single person is not easy. Although her husband swam safely ashore, Ms. Sparwasser washed past everyone. She was spotted and picked up by another party downstream. They attempted resuscitation unsuccessfully. |
| Link: | http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/610904 |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |
