Accident Database

Report ID# 117347

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  • Other
  • Near Drowning
  • Other
  • Inadequate Equipment
  • Inexperience
  • Other

Accident Description

Croyden bridge is creating a serious public safety hazard for river users. 

Witnessed multiple people miss the takeout for the portage at Croyden bridge and get flushed under the bridge and require rescue on the other side. Most were tubing and didn't have enough time or react quickly enough to make it to the river right exit above the bridge and the bridge height above the water level forced people off/out of their tubes and down under the bridge before surfacing in distress on the downstream side where groups who had portaged were extracting the swimmers from the current and helping them recover once on the shore. 

Fortunately, the flow at this level only flushed people under the bridge, but there are still pillars and bridge structures that could pin/wrap a swimmer as they pass under water below the bridge. At higher flows, the height of the bridge relative to the water would create a significant strainer hazard if someone where to swim thru the bridge. 

Related news story
https://www.ksl.com/article/50674598/kayakers-temporary-bridge-over-weber-river-is-too-low-dangerous

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