Accident Database

Report ID#69306

2005-05-23
accident date
Dellia Chaffin
victim
0
victim age
North Platte
river
n/a
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
High
water level
N/A
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Inadequate Equipment, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Raft
boat type
status?
status

Description

Swimming whitewater without life vests is extremely dangerous. On May 23rd Delia Chaffin, 65, and Ellory McCauley, 59, were running the North Platte River in Wyoming with a friend. None of the three wore life vests. According to the Associated Press, their raft was punctured when it hit a bridge pier. Chaffin and McCauley quickly disappeared underwater. The third paddler reached shore and called for help. The man was legally drunk and authorities cited him for operating a boat while intoxicated. http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/05/24/build/wyoming/20-raftingdeath.inc