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Accident Database: Accident #936
| River: | New |
| Section: | 6. New River Gorge: Cunard to Fayette Station |
| Location: | Old 99 Hook |
| Water Level: | Low |
| Difficulty: | II |
| Accident Code(s): | Pin: Undercut Trap |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 29 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Experienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Inflatable Kayak |
| Boat Model: | Thrill-Seeker |
| Number of Occupants: | 1 |
| Number in Group: | 3 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | Natural Strainer or Sieve |
| Initial Report: | http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/69972 |
| Summary: | West Virginia's Class-IV New River Gorge was the scene of a low-water drowning on August 30th. Howard Dickerson, a 29-year-old raft guide, was paddling a high-performance inflatable kayak alongside two friends in a small raft. At Old 99 Hook (Class HI+) he ran a narrow side-slot. His kayak pinned against an undercut rock, and he was held underwater. His buddies saw the IK go under, climbed on top of the rock, and attempted a rescue. When their efforts failed, they paddled to the take-out and notified authorities. National Park Service river rangers located the trapped boat but darkness prevented a rescue. The next morning river rangers pulled the boat from the rock, allowing the body to float free. |
| Link: | http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm346/mod_11_lesson_issues.htm |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |
