Accident Database

Report ID#67953

1987-09-08
accident date
n/a
victim
0
victim age
Delaware
river
Hancock to Port Jervis
section
Skinner's Falls
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
II
river difficulty
cause code(s)
Near Drowning
injury type(s)
Inexperience
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

On September 8, 1987, Ranger Cliff Daniels from the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River observed three paddlers in a canoe having difficulty in Skinner’s Falls. The canoe hit several rocks and capsized midway through the rapids, causing the two to fall into the rushing water. After pulling one to shore with a rescue line, Daniels set up a belay line with the assistance of a bystander. Wading through the fast water, he was able to rescue the other two who were stranded on a rock. One of them was a paraplegic. Ranger Daniels was commended for protecting park visitors from serious injury or death. Source: NPS press release