Accident Database

Report ID#64857

2004-08-17
accident date
Calvin Hewitt
victim
7
victim age
Neversink
river
n/a
section
Low-head dam in Claryville
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
I
river difficulty
Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Raft
boat type
status?
status

Description

The Neversink River saw its second fatal accident in one week on August 17, 2004. Calvin Hewitt, 7, was rafting with his cousin, Joshua Kiwiet, 15. As the raft approached a low-head dam in Claryville, he attempted to steer the raft to shore. He couldn’t control it, so he climbed back in and the raft dropped over the dam. In the backwash, Joshua Kiwiet was able to climb on top of the raft; however, the other two were entrapped underneath by a rope. None were wearing a PFD. http://www.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2004/08/19/drown.html