Accident Database

Report ID#65952

2004-09-26
accident date
John Helsby
victim
36
victim age
Ashlu Creek
river
Mine Run
section
upstream of Downtime Rapid
location
n/a
gage
Low
water level
V
river difficulty
Unknown
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Solo Paddling
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

On September 26, 2004, John Helsby, 36, began a solo run of the “Mine Run” section of Ashlu Creek in British Columbia. He had his wife drop him off at the putin. When he didn’t arrive at the takeout after several hours, she alerted authorities. His body was discovered, separated from his kayak, wedged in some rocks above the most difficult rapids on the section.Since Mr. Helsby was paddling solo, no one can know what trouble he encountered or whether another paddler could have assisted with his rescue. http://cgi.whitewater.org/forum/detail.l30?forum_id=5&message_id=22434 http://cgi.whitewater.org/forum/detail.l30?forum_id=5&message_id=22441http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/677660