Accident Database

Report ID#69318

1999-05-03
accident date
Richard Wayne Palmer
victim
18
victim age
Wells River
river
near Groton
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
High
water level
IV
river difficulty
Flush Drowning
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Cold Water, High Water, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

NH MAN FEARED DROWNED IN WELLS RIVER May 3, 1989 An 18 year old Woodsville, NH, man was missing and presumed drowned in the Wells River late Tuesday. Vermont State Police said Richard Wayne Palmer and an unidentified male companion capsized a canoe in the river near Groton at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police said the other man swam to safety in the turbulent river which was flooding its banks. Rescue workers unsuccessfully searched the scene on Tuesday, and state police divers will continue the search Wednesday. SOURCE: Brattleboro Reformer Newspaper, Vermont COMMENTS: This was one of several accidents involving inexperienced paddlers which occurred during a rare period of late season high water in New England. (CW)