For Immediate Release:
Eric Jackson
For over 40 years kayaking has provided me with my greatest joy. Now, it has also provided me with my greatest sorrow. With profound sadness, I regret to announce an incident that took place in my clinic on the Ottawa River at the Lorne Rapids. The incident involved an experienced female paddler from the USA who has paddled with me in previous clinics on the Zambezi in Africa, Oklahoma Whitewater Park, and the Ottawa.
The incident took place on July 4th, 2017 around Noon at the Lorne Rapids. Our Group was enjoying a rare spring Buseater Wave surfing session, due to late spring rains, at the perfect levels. Our group was thrilled. We scouted the rapids, accessed the risks, and each paddler decided if they wanted to surf the wave. After her best surf, tipped over when exiting the wave and failed to roll up and exited her kayak. We had two strong safety kayakers in the water who paddled after her.
She floated downstream holding onto her kayak as the two safety kayakers attempted to get her to the shore. The three entered a small rapid downstream where one of the rescuers capsized. It is likely, although not confirmed that she may have been hit in the head by one of the kayaks and knocked unconscious. Once she was on shore, CPR was initiated by the rescuers, who were trained and certified in the procedure, and maintained CPR until relieved by paramedics. The victim was transported to the Renfrew Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
This incident is a sobering reminder that any day on the river can take a turn for the worst, know matter how experienced, prepared, and familiar with a river we are. I am very thankful and grateful for support and assistance of everyone on the water with us, and thank you in advance for offering the victim and her family both respect and condolences.
RENFREW, Ont. -- Provincial police have released the name of a 55-year-old Texas woman who died during a kayaking mishap in the Ottawa River. Lynn Bartholomew of Dallas was staying at Wilderness Tours and kayaking with a group on Tuesday morning when she was last seen getting out of her kayak after going through a set of rapids.
Kayaker dies on Ottawa River near Renfrew, Ont.
55-year-old woman from Texas was kayaking with a group at the time, OPP say
Published Wednesday, July 5, 2017 9
A 55-year-old woman from Texas died Tuesday after being ejected from a kayak when it got stuck in rapids on the Ottawa River near Renfrew, Ont., during a wilderness tour.
Renfrew OPP and paramedics were called to the river in Whitewater Region Township, which sits between Renfrew and Pembroke, at about 10:30 a.m."A kayaker had experienced difficulty in some rapids and was ejected from her kayak," said OPP Constable Janice Sawbridge. "She was unresponsive when she was pulled from the water by other kayakers. Bystanders there performed CPR until she was brought to the paramedics, said Sawbridge. "They continued to treat her and transported her to hospital, where unfortunately she succumbed and was declared dead."
The woman's name will not be released until her immediate family has been told of the woman's death, said Sawbridge, who added OPP are working with American officials to notify the family.She had been kayaking with a group of people at the time of the incident, according to OPP, and had been staying with Wilderness Tours based out of nearby Foresters Falls, Ont.
'Experienced' kayaker
The woman was in a group learning advanced kayaking techniques with the Ottawa Kayak School, according to a news release from the school. which referred to her as "experienced" kayaker."She was 'playing' in the rapids and was unable to right herself after capsizing," said the release. It went on to describe how she floated downstream with her kayak, and was assisted by two rescuers in kayaks.
All three went into a small rapid where one of the rescuers capsized. "While not confirmed, it appears the victim was hit in the head by one of the kayaks and knocked unconscious," according to the release.
OPP and the coroner's office are investigating.An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
OTTAWA KAYAK SCHOOL
PRESS RELEASE: Kayaking Incident
An incident involving a 55-year old experienced female kayaker
took place midmorning, July 4, 2017, at an area of the Ottawa
River known as the Lorne Rapids. The kayaker was in a group
learning advanced kayaking techniques with the Ottawa Kayak
School. She was from the US and had paddled the Ottawa River
for many years.
She was “playing” in the rapids and was unable to right herself
after capsizing. She floated downstream holding on to her
kayak. She was assisted by two rescuers in kayaks who
attempted to get her to shore. The trio went into a small rapid
roughly 750’ downstream where one of the rescuers capsized.
While not confirmed, it appears the victim was hit in the head
by one of the kayaks and knocked unconscious. Once onshore,
CPR was initiated by the rescuers and performed until relieved
by paramedics. The victim was transported to Renfrew Hospital
where she later succumbed to her injuries.
For more information, contact Ottawa Kayak School
