Accident Database

Report ID#64340

2023-04-29
accident date
Trey Westbrooks
victim
n/a
victim age
Haw River
river
Glencoe to Red Slide Park
section
Copeland Rapid
location
n/a
gage
High
water level
II
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
High Water, Inadequate Equipment, Inexperience, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

A night rescue by helicopter on North Carolina’s Haw River. The short version of the story is that a man in a recreational kayak (?) with beer ran the Haw River. It was running about 5 ft higher than normal. No PFD or helmet. He was stuck in a tree in the middle of a rapid known as Copeland (maybe class 2+ at most, similar to a mix of Pattons Run /Gonzo shoals). Paddlers from the area had advised the responding unit not to take motorized craft. The responding rescue squad broke 2 motors on the shoals, They called a mayday that brought multiple other squads to the area. Then the NC helo aquatic rescue arrived to a belligerent patient and were able to get him out. Link to river description: https://thehaw.org/paddle-trail/river-section-guides/glencoe-to-red-slide-park/?fbclid=IwAR3eKDOkLvpKSlvFtPEJm80Iw9GJErxsFcabivCqEHC_4tMhbaHQOZrs3rI He was with an “experienced kayaker” who sent for help.