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 #937
| River: | Papallacta |
| Gauge: | 300 cfs |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | IV- |
| Accident Code(s): | Tree Pin |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 28 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Experienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Kayak - Unknown |
| Number of Occupants: | 1 |
| Number in Group: | 3 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | Natural Strainer or Sieve |
| Summary: | Ecuador's Papallacta River is a small (300 cfs), steep (175 fpm) Class IV+ creek run. Jay Kenney reported that on November 1st a three-person group encountered a narrow Class III+ drop located 2/3 of the way down the run. Stephen Korinchak, 28, ran first and pinned his kayak on a hidden log that spanned the drop. Initially his head was above the water. His boat never folded, but the log passed across his cockpit and made escape impossible. His two companions struggled heroically for several minutes before Korinchak's boat shifted and pulled him under water. His friends persisted, freeing the boat about five minutes later. They grabbed Mr. Korinchak, and swam him to shore. The pair then performed CPR for 75 minutes without success. |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |
