Accident Database

Report ID#68274

2010-07-17
accident date
unknown
victim
n/a
victim age
James
river
5. Lower James through Richmond
section
runoff below hollywood
location
4.06
gage
Low
water level
N/A
river difficulty
Pinned in Boat Against Strainer
cause code(s)
n/a
injury type(s)
n/a
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

Witness Narrative by (do not publish name) on 2010-07-20 (okay to publish): non-boater swam hollywood rapid and became foot entrapped in the runout below the rapid. Victim was noted to bbe actively drowning prior to getting entrapped. I was able to attempt twice to reach the victim while he was entrapped and submerged. He consequently became free from the entrapment at which point I pulled him onto my boat and assisted him to safety. He began breathing spontaniously and was able to interact with rescuers (by the time we got to an eddy, there were two other kayakers and a commercial raft there for support), although still very disoriented. It is unclear whether he intended to swim the rapid or was swept into the current. The commercial raft guide assisted the victim into his raft and transported him to shore.