Accident Database

Report ID# 1156

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  • Flush Drowning
  • Near Drowning
  • Other
  • High Water

Accident Description

On the Friday before the weekend of the Stony Creek Rendezvous a powerful line of thunderstorms slammed into Western Pennsylvania , raising area rivers to very high levels. That Saturday, April 17th, a large group put in on the Upper Stony, a class III-IV run east of Johnstown, PA. Below the put-in the river turns away from the road, picks up speed, and heads into what guidebooks describe as a tough rapid with lots of strainers at the bottom. Extensive postings to rec.boats.paddle by people on the scene had this to say: Three kayaks and a raft formed Ben’s group, but there were boats ahead of and behind them. The rapids became extremely fast and pushy below the put-in, with few eddies. One kayaker, Ben Stone, 50, flipped and swam after several roll attempts. He washed into a strainer where he was held momentarily, then released. At this point he was swimming weakly, and may have inhaled water. The other two kayakers attempted a boat rescue, but they were forced to pull back above a big drop. They last saw Ben floating downstream with the raft closing in. As the water got more intense, the raft pulled back also.

 

 

 

By now everyone was quite spread out, and the group lost track of Stone. The kayakers thought the rafters had him, and the rafters believed that he’d swum to shore. Unfortunately, he was washed instead 3.5 miles, through the remainder of the run.  His body was found stuck on a midstream bush a half mile below the takeout. Kayakers on the scene ferried out into the current and attached a line, allowing the rescue squad to swing him to shore.

 

 

 

Ben Stone was not the only person to get more than he bargained for on the Upper Stony that day! Many loose boats were reported floating downriver, and dozens of people walked out. One posting described how a strong party from Pittsburgh , including a boater who regularly runs Big Splat, got trashed and ended up on foot. Local rescue squads were mobilized, helicopters were called in, and several paddlers ended up in emergency rooms with various injuries. Area officials now have real concerns about working with local boaters to promote paddling these rivers. The moral of the story: festivals are big fun, but don’t let the excitement they generate influence your judgement. Just because crowds of people are attempting a run doesn’t mean it’s right for you! Remember that high water is best enjoyed by those who know a river well enough to anticipate the danger spots. If you are unfamiliar with a run, either wait until you’ve had a few trips at moderate flows or go with a responsible person who has. High water rivers are terrible places to swim, and rescues are often truly challenging. If your roll is not reliable, wait for the water to drop to more manageable levels.

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