Accident Database: Accident #871
| River: | Ashlu Creek |
| Section: | Mine Run |
| Location: | upstream of Downtime Rapid |
| Water Level: | Low |
| Difficulty: | V |
| Accident Code(s): | While Solo Boating |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 36 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Experienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Kayak - Unknown |
| Number of Occupants: | 1 |
| Number in Group: | 1 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | Natural Strainer or Sieve |
| Initial Report: | http://cgi.whitewater.org/forum/detail.l30?forum_id=5&message_id=22434 http://cgi.whitewater.org/forum/detail.l30?forum_id=5&message_id=22441 |
| Summary: | On September 26, 2004, John Helsby, 36, began a solo run of the "Mine Run" section of Ashlu Creek in British Columbia. He had his wife drop him off at the putin. When he didn't arrive at the takeout after several hours, she alerted authorities. His body was discovered, separated from his kayak, wedged in some rocks above the most difficult rapids on the section. |
| Conclusions: | Since Mr. Helsby was paddling solo, no one can know what trouble he encountered or whether another paddler could have assisted with his rescue. |
| Link: | http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/677660 |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |