Aug 19, 1995 – Robinson Creek

Report ID#86252

1995-08-19
accident date
woman her father
victim
20
victim age
Robinson Creek
river
n/a
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
High
water level
II
river difficulty
Caught in a Natural Hydraulic, PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
High Water
factors
Commercial
trip type
Open Canoe
boat type
status?
status

Description

TWO WISCONSIN CANOEISTS DROWN AT FALLS DESCRIPTION: On Saturday August 19, 1995 a three-canoe party reached Poly Falls, a five-foot drop on Robinson Creek near Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Two canoes made it to shore, but one tipped over above the falls. The 20-year-old woman paddling the boat became caught in a large hole at the base of the drop. Her father, 49, who was not wearing a life vest, dove in after her and also became trapped. She eventually came out of the hole; he did not. Searchers for the two bodies were hampered by high flows caused by recent rains. SOURCE: Paul Wagner posting to Rec.Boats.Paddle ANALYSIS: A combination of high water and inexperience caused the accident. The second victim violated a cardinal rule of rescue: never compound the problem by becoming a victim yourself. All of us must consider the risks before we act. Update: It sounds like the second death was not a canoe party member, but a body recovery person a couple days later. https://www.bruceslegacy.com/about/about-bruce-cormican/