Accident Database: Accident #924
| River: | Rogue |
| Section: | 2. Grave Creek (Galice) to Foster Bar (Agness) |
| Location: | Mule Creek Canyon -- Coffee Pot |
| 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: | 71 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Commercial |
| Boat Type: | Other |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Summary: | Retired University of Oregon law professor and dean Chapin Clark, 71, drowned at the "Coffee Pot" on the Mule Creek section of the Rogue River. Although Clark was wearing a PFD, his guide was not and thus could not assist in his rescue. |
| Detailed Description: | http://www.democratherald.com/articles/2005/06/07/news/oregon/state04.txt http://tinyurl.com/d6cz4 http://katu.com/outdoor/story.asp?ID=77606 |
| Conclusions: | Clark's death, and perhaps that of guide Ken Robinson in 2004, prompted the Oregon legislature to pass a law in 2005, requiring that all members of commercial paddling trips --not only customers-- wear PFDs in rapids rated Class III or higher. |
| Link: | http://www.osbar.org/publications/bulletin/03jan/obits.html |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |