Accident Database

Report ID#65064

2001-06-24
accident date
Gretchen Nyce
victim
59
victim age
Loyalsock
river
Lower Near Barboursville
section
n/a
location
5.6' at Loyalsockville, Pa
gage
High
water level
II
river difficulty
Swim into Strainer
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

Gretchen Nyce, 59, was paddling the Class I-II Lower Loyalsock Creek near Barbours when she and her husband flipped their K-2. According to articles in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette forwarded by Russ Cowles, she was swept under a strainer and disappeared completely. The water level was 5.6′ at Loyalsockville, Pa., which is medium-high. Her husband thought he saw her go under a log as he was carried downriver. He made it to shore, searched the area, and notified authorities when he was unsuccessful. Her body was located after a five-hour search by shore based rescuers, boats, and dive units. CW