Accident Database

Report ID#64947

1992-04-25
accident date
Patricia Faticanti
victim
0
victim age
Carrabasset
river
2. Kingfield to US201A
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
I
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Hypothermia
injury type(s)
Inexperience, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

MOTHER OF TWO KILLED IN RAPIDS Carrabasset River near North Anson, ME : April 26, 1992 DESCRIPTION: The Carrabasset River in Northern Maine has some good intermediate whitewater, but the stretch near North Anson has a few mild rapids and an “impassable gorge” in town. Patricia Faticanti, who had never canoed before, was paddling with her husband when they flipped in some rapids. Although they were carrying two seat cushions as required by state law, there wore no life jackets or cold weather protection. He was able to swim to shore, but she could not. The husband was treated for hypothermia at a local hospital and released. Her body was found the next morning, miles downriver, by a Navy helicopter. SOURCE: Boston Globe sent by Tom Christopher; Small Craft Advisory ANALYSIS: The pair was inexperienced and poorly equipped, a deadly combination for trying early-season whitewater. Given the fast current and icy water the outcome was almost inevitable, and the remaining paddler was lucky to survive.