Jul 2, 2023 – Carson River

Report ID#82384

2023-07-02
accident date
James Martin
victim
59
victim age
Carson River
river
n/a
section
Brunswick Canyon
location
2000 cfs
gage
High
water level
II+
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Private
trip type
Kayak - Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

Charles Albright made multiple searches on the river. He knows someone who saw them enter the river without PFD’s. He found many abandoned craft on hiis trip. It seems that the most likely event was that the pair, paddling separate kayaks, found trouble in Train Wreck Rapid, a big water Class 4-4+ at rapid with huge holes and big waves and cold water.with large holes at this level. The two drownings were caused by inexperience and poor equipment. Th From NewsBreak: Sheriff: Body found in canyon ID’d as James Martin From Leigh Ann: Today while paddling the Carson we were able to locate one of the men’s body( not confirmed yet that it is one of the 2 missing kayakers but fits description). They are working on extraction now. He was caught in a strainer and did not have a pfd. We were able to put an emergency call through to get the local police down to the river to retrieve him. Kept an eye out for his friend on the rest of the run but unable to find anything. At this level I would not call this a class 2 run it has so many strainers and consequences all around if you end up in the water. Rapids weren’t to technical it was all the hazards around them. Rumor was neither of the men were wearing pfds. CARSON CITY, Nev. (KRNV) — Two people are missing after attempting to kayak the Carson River. On July 2, two kayakers identified as James Martin and Robert White went to the Brunswick Canyon area in Carson City. They were going to kayak the Carson River and were expected to return later that same day but there has been no contact with either since their departure. Martin, 59, is described as 5’9, 200lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. White, 52, is described as 5’8, 220lbs with blonde hair and green eyes. Their vehicle was located on July 5, still in the canyon area, with no sign of Martin or White. Kayakers body recovered on the Carson River Today Back in 2023 two “kayakers” with little or no skill attempted top paddle from the Morgan Mill area towards Dayton. They paddled the Class 4 Train Wreck Rapid and one was found later by a local paddler below that rapid a short distance on the right shore. Today the other victim was found in the Train Wreck Rapid pinned on the bottom in very low water. Neither of these paddlers were experienced and had boats not meant for that river run. Sad that it happened but it does point out some basic issues with river running on high runoff water that is COLD. PLEASE consider finding out what is in that that river. Scout before getting into an unknown rapid. There were plenty of easier runs they could have done on the Carson. Wear the necessary gear, PFD’s, helmets and take safety gear. Human remains were discovered by the Carson River, near Trainwreck Rapids in Brunswick Canyon on Friday. Human remains found by the Carson River are believed to be a missing kayaker. After Carson City Park Rangers responded to the area, they secured the scene so the Sheriff’s Office detectives could investigate. During a continued investigation, the Carson City Search and Rescue, along with detectives, recovered several pieces of human remains, clothing, and other artifacts. According to the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, artifacts that were located on the scene led investigators to believe that they are from Robert Lawson White, a kayaker who went missing in June 2023, while boating in the Carson River.The Sheriff’s Office says White went missing on the same date in 2023 with another Kayaker named James Martin. Martin’s body was recovered from the river in the summer of 2023. The investigation continues, and deputies still have to confirm the identity of the remains. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the remains were collected by the coroner and taken to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office for formal identification. Missing Carson River kayaker found in Brunswick Canyon identified By Steve Timko, KOLO 8 Published: Jul. 5, 2023 CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) -JULY 8 8:00 P.M. UPDATE: A body recovered Saturday from the Carson River is one of the two missing kayakers, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said. The remains have been identified as James Eugene Martin, 59, of Moundhouse,. He was reported missing Wednesday after not returning from a kayaking trip that started on July 2. The body was found approximately 1.7 miles east of the Brunswick Canyon Bridge after several people reported seeing it. Martin was reported missing with another person, Robert White, who has not yet been located