Accident Database

Report ID#68825

2024-02-15
accident date
Baker ?
victim
n/a
victim age
Big Laurel Creek
river
n/a
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
IV
river difficulty
Equipment Trap, Pinned in Boat Against Strainer
cause code(s)
Near Drowning
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

Whitewater Rescue with Paddle Board – YouTube. Feb 15, 2024https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWzJzxoJGYY On a popular Class 4 creek in North Carolina, two paddle boarders rescue their kayak friend who was pinned backward in a strainer. Hank, Will, and Baker were paddling together on the Big Laurel when Baker in a kayak was caught by the partially submerged log. He was unable to release his skirt, trapping him in his boat with his head barely out of the water. Though able to breathe, he did swallow a lot of water. Hank and Will were paddling shortly behind him on whitewater-specific paddle boards. Hank secured Baker, pulled the skirt from the boat, and paddled him to shore promptly and efficiently perhaps saving Baker’s life. Will gathered gear, including Baker’s boat. They all were able to hike out together, but Baker did suffer from asphyxiation pneumonia afterward. We’ll be talking with all three in an upcoming episode of the SUPPAUL Podcast. What went wrong that day? What went right? Thanks for watching. The video is shot on Hank’s helmet-cam and he is the owner of the content.