The victim’s name was Todd Smith, and the river was a steep creek, Little Possum Creek. The accident occurred on Dec. 1 ’96. What I remember from a verbal report , and what was reported in the Chattanooga Times on Dec. 6. Seven guys started out, but then separated into 2 groups. Four kayakers were out in front, in the fateful group. They prepared for a 3 ft. chute over a 4 ft. drop. the first 2 did OK, the third flipped, rolled, & went over backwards, but made it. Smith was last, flipped, rolled, but broke his paddle. Also going backwards over the drop, his boat was pinned, upside-down, I think. One of the paddlers reached Smith’s boat twice, but could not free it. Reportedly, there was only 1 rope between the 3 initial rescuers, and the total of 6 remaining paddlers worked for an hour to rescue, but were not successful. Smith was married, no children. I think he was from Cleveland, TN, but the funeral was held in East Brainerd. Source: Tennessee Valley Canoe Club