On April 5, 1987 Ben Hegner and a friend decided to try a section of the Shawangunk Kill River near their home, putting in at Mc Kinstry Road. Neither man had paddled it, but the river had a low gradient and seemed to be within their capabilities (solid rolls, comfortable in class 3). Nearing the dam, the partner paddled to shore while Hegner said he would run it, and wave his paddle if it was safe. Hegner got stuck in the hydraulic and could not get out. His partner could not reach him from shore with a throw line. He paddled out below the boil line but still could not get close enough. He decided to get help from a nearby house.
Rescue squads arrived in 5-10 minutes and found Mr. Hegner out of his boat, recirculating helplessly in the hole. After having been recirculated for a significant period of time Hegner flushed out. His partner jumped into the river, grabbed him, and pulled him ashore. Rescuers applied CPR and transported him to a nearby hospital. At first Mr. Hegner responded well, but he ultimately slipped away.
Source: Patty-Sue Bundt Doug Welman Dams are deceptively dangerous. These young men were skilled rock and ice climbers in college and considered very safety conscious outdoorsmen. But Mr. Hegner clearly did not know what he was getting into.
Local officials have posted signs here to prevent further accidents.
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Additional source: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/40164071/green-machine-canoe-racing-team-1976-general-clinton-canoe- pages 53-55, authored by Herm Botzow, based on a contemporaneous report by Steve McLuckie in the KCCNY newsletter
