Date: January 26, 2024 Time: 10:45 am
Location: Upper Nantahala River in Western North Carolina. This section is generally rated around a class III. The water this day was extremely high due to recent rainfall.
Weather: Partly cloudy around 60°
Details: A very experienced boater from Western NC was driving along the river road, located on river left, when he noticed a kayaker, in a group of 4, flipped and could possibly have hit something while inverted. The boater never attempted to roll or come out of his boat. There were no other members of his group within a 100 yards. The rescuer at that time parked his car, unloaded his boat and grabbed what gear he could (PFD, spray skit & helmet) and got in his boat, ran the rapid and found the victim recirculating in an eddy below the rapid. Rescuer jumped out of his boat, pulled the victim from his boat and pulled him up to the shore. Once on the bank he removed his helmet, checked for a pulse, no pulse was found. PFD was being removed as one of the members from the victims party arrived from down stream. Victim was positioned and CPR was started by the rescuer. After about 15 – 20 seconds the victim started expelling water and coughing. Victim sat up and was looking around when rescuer told the victim and one of his paddling companions he needed to be transported to a hospital and evaluated. Rescuer asked if the party needed help getting the victim to the road side. They communicated they could handle that and take care of him from there. Rescuer having no cold weather
gear left to get in his car and warm himself up. No names were exchanged and none will be given.
