Accident Database

Report ID#66861

1992-03-03
accident date
Kevin McLean
victim
25
victim age
Kentucky River
river
n/a
section
Lock 7 Dam near Pleasant Hill, KY
location
n/a
gage
Medium
water level
IV
river difficulty
Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Cold Water, Poor Planning, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Raft
boat type
status?
status

Description

MAN DROWNS AT KENTUCKY RIVER DAM DESCRIPTION: Kevin McLean, 25, was rafting with friends on the Kentucky river near Pleasant Hill, Kentucky on March 3 when the river’s current swept them over the Lock 7 dam. Two companion escaped injury; the victim was recovered downstream and pronounced dead at the scene. SOURCE: Associated Press via Ken Johnson ANALYSIS: Dams kill many unwary paddlers each year, and are not usually runnable. I have to wonder if warning signs were in place this early in the year, and whether the high water levels common at this time contributed to the death.