James River Fatality: Leah Patterson, commercial guide, 26 years old in a R-2. Two boat private trip. Experienced boaters with full safety gear. Everyone on the trip was a guide. Flipped their raft in Hollywood Rapid on the James River in Richmond. It’s the same strainer than pinned a raft for 24 hours yesterday. A kayaking group arrived and helped with the rescue.She was under for over 40 minutes.
This was a well outfitted private trip guided by 2 senior, commercial guides in a raft. Both were wearing helmets and pfds. Raft flipped, resulting swim led to 1 of the rafters being trapped completely underwater upstream of a strainer. Another raft called 911. Water rescue showed up on the scene and located the victim. They were followed by kayakers with swift water training. Between the firefighters and the kayakers, they were able to use 2 rope systems, including a z drag on the strainer, to remove the victim. It was not until late in the process (once they could get hands on her) that the lead rescuer identified that the person was dead.
Tuesday, May 2.
By NBC12 Newsroom
Published: May. 2, 2023
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT)
One person pulled from James River water rescue
Multiple crews were called to the scene is now in the hospital after being pulled from the James River Tuesday afternoon. On May 2, just after 3 p.m., Richmond Fire was called out for a water rescue on the James River.
Officials told NBC12 a group was water rafting, and one person needed to be rescued. CPR was administered to the person rescued on scene. They were taken to VCU Health. Officials have not yet provided information on the status of that person.
This developing story will be updated as we get more information.
Copyright 2023 WWBT. All rights reserved.
Richmond rafter dies after being rescued from James River
One of the two rafters rescued from the James River in the Hollywood Rapids Tuesday afternoon has now died, according to Richmond Police.
By: WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff
May 03, 2023
RICHMOND, Va. — One of the two rafters rescued from the James River in the Hollywood Rapids Tuesday afternoon has now died, according to Richmond Police. The woman was identified as 26-year-old Leah Patterson of Richmond.
Richmond rescue crews pulled the individuals from the water around 3:30 p.m. after their raft overturned. One person required CPR and was rushed to VCU Medical Center where she later died. The second person rescued from the river was fine, according to the Richmond Fire Department.
Police said foul play is not suspected.
