Accident Database

Report ID#69273

2003-07-04
accident date
Richard DiLaurenzio
victim
0
victim age
Delaware
river
Hancock to Port Jervis
section
Shohola Rapid
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
II
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Inexperience, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

On July 4th Richard DeLaurenzo and his wife capsized while paddling through Class II Shohola Rapids on the Upper Delaware River. This river, which forms the border between Pennsylvania and New York, is very popular with first-timers. According to the National Park Service Morning Report neither paddler was wearing a life vest. Their canoe hit a rock and ejected them both. They attempted to hold onto their canoe as they floated downstream, but Mr. DeLaurenzo lost consciousness and let go. Bystanders pulled him ashore and began CPR, but their efforts were in vain.