Accident Database

Report ID#66784

2004-06-20
accident date
Paul Butzen
victim
62
victim age
Sheboygen
river
downtown Sheboygan Falls
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
N/A
river difficulty
Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Failed Rescue
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

62 year-old Paul Butzen was paddling with his adult son on the Sheboygan River near Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin when they encountered a man who had attempted to run Riverbend Dam. According to the Sheboygan Press, the man swam free, but his kayak was still caught in the hydraulic. Mr. Butzen and his son, who portaged the dam, offered to help recover it. As they approached the boat from downstream they were pulled into the hydraulic and capsized. The two other men quickly washed free, but Mr. Butzen was held in the hydraulic for some time before washing out. Police and firefighters from nearby Kohler, Wisconsin found him floating face down in the river. They pulled him in, but resuscitation efforts failed.