Accident Database

Report ID# 193

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  • Pinned in Boat Against Strainer
  • Hypothermia
  • Cold Water
  • Other

Accident Description

CANOEIST PINNED BY COLLAPSING CANOE

West Fork of the Obey River near Livingson, TN : April 16, 1994

On Saturday, April 16, 1994, there was a drowning on the West Fork of the Obey River near Livingston, Tenn.   Michael Hendrickson, 25, and a friend, both from Jamestown , put in at Allred a little before

noon 

for a 6-mile trip down the West Fork. Both had been paddling for several years, but this was their first descent of the West Fork. They were each paddling solo in Old Town Discover 138 canoes.  Baldwin 's flotation was a single large air bag. He also had a dry bag with a change of clothes, a spare paddle, a throw rope and first-aid kit.  His partner had a large inner tube lashed in the center of his boat and a cooler. Recent rains had raised the water level to 5.5 feet. Normally a Class II run, the Obey is very pushy at this level and has several solid Class III rapids.

The pair had traveled about a mile when they came to a right bend in the river. The main flow ran against a bluff on the left. From the bluff above a large dead tree had fallen into the river several years earlier and was standing almost vertically in the center of the current about ten feet from shore. One large limb extended into the water on the bluff side. His partner ran by the tree successfully, but as Hendrickson tried to pass the tree on river right (the usual route), he broached and flipped upstream. 

The current carried his boat toward the tree where it wrapped. The hard plastic seat broke loose and fell down, trapping Hendrickson by the ankles. After his partner heard his friend yell, he beached his canoe and ran back upstream.  Hendrickson was holding his head out of the water and told him that his legs were pinned. His partner ran back downstream, ferried across to the left side, scaled the bluff, and threw a rescue rope down. Hendrickson had wrapped the rope around his arm, and his partner tied it off at the top of the bluff. He then climbed down to the base of the bluff to get closer to Hendrickson. He got within 5 feet, but still could not reach him. Hendrickson said, "I don't think I'm gonna make it." His blue jeans and T-shirt were no match for the cold water, and though he was big and strong, fatigue, shock, and hypothermia were taking their toll.

Hendrickson collapsed, and the current swept him under the boat but not free of it. His partner dove into the river and tried to grab hold of the pinned boat. After the current swept him downstream he ingot to his boat and went for help. Because he was unfamiliar with the area he didn't realize that there was a highway about 100 yards from the top of the bluff. He paddled downriver about 2 miles before coming to a cabin on river left. He told the people that his best friend had drowned 2 miles upriver and that he had tied his feet to the canoe so he wouldn't wash away. They rode a 4X4 to a nearby house and called 911. Although the air temperature was about 60 degrees, Baldwin was very cold. The people at the cabin gave him something to drink and took him inside to warm up by the stove. Later they took him in the 4X4 to meet the ambulance.

Baldwin was transported to the hospital for observation and treatment of abrasions and rope burns on his hands and arms. The deputy and ambulance crew, directed by neighbors who were familiar with the area were able to find the accident site. From the bluff above, they could see the red canoe wrapped around the tree. The inner tube and cooler were bobbing around on the upstream side.

Both the deputy and the ambulance personnel told me they were totally unprepared for this situation. They had no training in swift water rescue or recovery and no related equipment, not even a PFD. They did have some rapelling equipment, so they and tied a rope to the tree and tried to pull it up manually from the river. The tree was about 25 feet long and 12-14 inches in diameter and did not budge. A logger and his skidder was brought in; they hooked the winch cable to the tree and lifted it from the water. They'd assumed from what Baldwin had said that the throw rope was tied to the victim, but when the tree was moved, it was the canoe that was tied in. The body came loose and was swept downstream. Rescuers chased it and attempted to snag it from shore. Finally it stopped in shallow water, about a mile from the accident site. Because it was a cold-water drowning, ambulance personnel were planning to start resuscitation procedures on the victim, but by the time they reached the body it was too late.

AUTHOR: Mike Quallis, TSRA Newsletter, via Doug King

ANALYSIS: The rescue personnel involved in this tragedy were upset that they could not do more. During the incident they radioed emergency units in other towns, searching for people with swift water training. They appealed to me to assist them in locating rescue and training resources. They realize that paddling is becoming more popular and want to be better prepared. They have asked for a list of local whitewater paddlers who would be willing to assist them in the future. Those of us who live near whitewater rivers should take the initiative to see if we can assist local rescue personnel.

No single factor was responsible for this tragic loss of life, but on this trip a combination of events created a tragedy.  Paddling is a wonderful sport, and with the proper precautions can be a safe one.

FURTHER COMMENTS:

1) The accident occurred as a result of a momentary loss of boat control above a dangerous spot. This can happen to anyone, no matter how skilled.

2) This is a common type of entrapment in canoes. Many are designed for lake travel and have low-hung seats. These should be replaced with pedestal seating by serious whitewater paddlers. In addition, bulky footwear like hiking boots should be avoided.

3) A portable saw, such as the ones made by Gerber, can cut through vinyl gunwales and plastic seats. Short of releasing the canoe it offers the best option for rescue.

4) A two boat trip leaves relatively few options for rescue. If someone is pinned in a strainer, the best approach may be to tie them so that their head is held above water.

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