Accident Database

Report ID#65470

2005-02-19
accident date
David Pennell
victim
53
victim age
Carmel
river
Los Padres Reservoir to Carmel Valley
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
III
river difficulty
Pinned in Boat Against Strainer
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

On February 19th David Pennell, 53, washed into a strainer on a sharp bend on California’s Carmel River. This small Class III creek runs only a few days per year. It’s very fast and tricky, with many sharp bends and strainers. According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Mr. Pennell’s boat flipped, trapping him inside. Minutes later the boat broke loose with Mr. Pennell still caught inside his boat. Friends caught up with the boat, pulled him ashore, and performed CPR without success. Later a friend noted that Mr. Pennell had been experiencing some health problems, which may have affected his balance. http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/February/22/local/stories/02local.htm