Accident Database

Report ID#69296

2002-08-11
accident date
David Moore
victim
73
victim age
Schuylkill River
river
Plymouth Dam
section
dam hydraulic
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
N/A
river difficulty
Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Solo Paddling
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

The body of a retired piano tuner was found in the backwash of the Plymouth Dam on Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill River. David Moore, 73, had taken up kayaking three years earlier. He was paddling alone on August 11th when the accident happened. An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer forwarded by Bill Pearlstein stated that Mr. Moore was wearing a life vest. His wife said he knew the area well and always portaged around the dam. There were no witnesses, so we’ll never know exactly what happened. His wife became concerned when he did not return at 4:00 p.m. as planned. As darkness fell she notified police. His kayak was never recovered.