2 people rescued from rapids while tubing on Dan River, 1 in critical condition
by: Brayden Stamps, Dolan Reynolds
Posted: Jul 8, 2023 / 01:27 PM EDT
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Two people were rescued from rapids while tubing on the Dan River, according to the Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad. A group of seven was reportedly tubing down the river and did not have life jackets with them when they “got in trouble with some rapids,” according to Chief Roy Stewart. One teen and six adults were on the river, and one of the adults is considered to be in critical condition.
The Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad posted the following statement on Facebook in regard to the current struggles the squad is facing:
Madison Rescue Squad is 95% volunteers with one part time 8 to 5 Monday – Friday. Our volunteers have to drop what thay are doing and respond to the base or scene. The Town of Madison funds the Squad with only $5,000 to cover Rescue and medical calls, an impossible task. New water park and river rescue calls are increasing. Our response is delayed due to volunteers running calls from the home no paid staff. Please help us get the funding needed to provide timely service to the citizens. Call town council men and women ask why they continue to not fund the Rescue squad appropriately. Our volunteers have to train at the state level, raise our own funds and run the calls.
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69-year-old tuber dies from injuries sustained on Dan River
MADISON — A 69-year-old male tuber, who along with five other adults and one teen was rescued from the Dan River on Saturday morning, has died from injuries sustained while riding the water near Madison River Park. The other six tubers did not suffer any life-threatening injuries, officials said. The victim’s name was not immediately available, and the exact nature of his injuries has not been disclosed. However, officials have said that the man flipped his tube while in a relatively gentle Class 1 rapid near the second of seven rock weirs that are part of the recreational area. They also say the man sustained a cardiac arrest.
Officials said that the people in the group were not wearing life jackets.
The weirs, created by Raleigh environmental engineer Kris Bass, are part of a $2.5 million overhaul of the Lindsey Bridge Dam Restoration Project in 2020 near the former Lindsey Bridge Dam area. Each of the seven chevron-shaped stone weirs drops one foot, creating enticing water for paddling.
