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 #954

River: Tuolumne
Section: Lower
Location: Clavey Falls
Water Level: High
Difficulty: V+
Accident Code(s): Pin
Injury Code(s): Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal
Experienced/Inexperienced: Experienced
Years Paddling: >10
Private/Commercial: Private
Boat Type: Kayak - Play Boat
Number of Occupants: 1
Number of Victims: 1
Hazard Codes: High Water
Detailed Description:

DESCRIPTION:  the Lower Toulumne is a classic Class IV run in the California Sierras. At 8000 cfs, a high flow, the river is very fast with big waves and holes. The victim, Will Hagood, was a 15-year veteran paddler from Easley, SC and Salt Lake City, UT. On June 1, 1999 he was with a small group of expert paddlers in playboats. It was a beautiful day and everyone was doing well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haygood was killed after he lost his line at Clavey Falls and became pinned on a small rock in violent current. After 10-15 minutes of pounding, his PFD, sprayskirt, and the pillars from his boat floated out. His body was recovered two miles downriver from where the incident occurred. The group paddled out and notified authorities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: Doug Thompson, Chris Bell, Jeff McIntyre, Mark Jacobson, all posting to rec.boats.paddle

 

 

 

 

 

 

ly.

 

 

 

Conclusions: ANALYSIS: (Walbridge) High water makes for exciting paddling, but it the consequences of small errors increase substantial
Report Status: Completed