Accident Database

Report ID#65430

2004-06-29
accident date
Morgan Funk
victim
15
victim age
New
river
6. New River Gorge: Cunard to Fayette Station
section
Lower Keaney - Meatgrinder
location
8000 cfs
gage
Medium
water level
IV
river difficulty
Swim into Rock or Sieve
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Commercial
trip type
Raft
boat type
status?
status

Description

On June 29th a guided raft flipped in Middle Keaney Rapids in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. The flow was 8,000 cfs, a near-optimal level that creates huge breaking waves here. Five occupants of the raft, along with the guide, were picked up by other rafts. But Morgan Funk, 15, washed into a dangerous rock sieve at the top of Lower Keaney known as Meatgrinder. These rocks, the site of a previous fatality, are very difficult to reach. Guides and private paddlers mobilized to help her, and were eventually joined by Park Service and fire-rescue personnel. They were not successful.