The Kispiox River was running high as a result of recent rains. Jon Abshagen, 45, was fishing from a raft with a river guide and a friend from Seattle when the raft hit a strainer – a term for any kind of object that allows water to pass through but captures larger objects, including persons. The impact sent Jon and his friend into the water. The guide was able to save Ken (the friend). When they got back up to Jon, they couldn’t get him off the strainer. He drowned before he could be rescued.