Accident Database

Report ID#66553

1975-10-04
accident date
Gene Bernardin
victim
0
victim age
Ouleout Creek
river
Wagner Hollow Road Bridge to Route 357
section
Under bridge below E. Sydney Dam
location
250--300
gage
High
water level
II
river difficulty
Foot Entrapment
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Failed Rescue
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

Mr. Bernardin was paddling C-2M at the icebreaker Slalom, an annual event at this location. Their boat capsized in the upper part of the slalom course. His partner swam to shore, but Mr. Bernardin stayed with the canoe and was washed downstream. He was seen trying to get his footing, presumably so he could walk the canoe to shore. He washed over a 1-foot ledge below the bridge and vanished beneath a 2-foot wave. People could see that his body being held underwater. Racers immediately mobilized to offer assistance. Ropes were thrown, and several people jumped into the water and tried to grab him as they passed. A few minutes later a large group entered the water and tried to use their bodies to divert the water. Runners were sent to the dam to get the water turned off, and ultimately this was successful. When the water dropped rescuers were able to wade out to MR. Berardin. They noted that his foot was caught under a large flat rock sitting just below thge ledge. CPR was attempted unsuccessfully. This accident made us aware of the danger of foot entrapment for the first time. This was the first reported foot entrapment and the first accident report Charlie Walbridge wrote for AW.From it came the often-repeated warning not to stand up in fast-moving water