4. The run at medium flows would be consider class 4, however the particular spot where the incident occurred would be considered class 3.
5. There was a river wide log that came quickly after a corner. The log had not been there days prior. At the time there were two paddlers, Ed and a boating partner, with a third member downstream approximately half a mile waiting to put on below the class 4 rapid "S curve". Ed was leading, and when his boating partner came around the corner, Ed was already stuck sideways on the log. It is not clear whether he was trying to drive over the log or if he was trying to avoid it in some fashion (catch an eddy ect). His boating partner then drove left of where Ed was stuck over the log which was actually higher out of the water and barely made it over. He was able to immediately get to shore, but at that point Ed was stuck upside down under the log. On his second attempt he was able to get a rope into the spot where Ed was stuck but Ed did not grab it.
Veteran Search & Rescue Member Perishes in Kayaking Accident
On Sunday, May 27, 2018, a 20-year veteran of the Park County Search and Rescue died while kayaking on Rock Creek approximately 10 miles south of Red Lodge, Montana. Edward (Ed) Thomas Conning, age 65 of Cody, was kayaking with friends when he became trapped beneath a submerged log in Rock Creek at 1:10 p.m. approximately one mile south of the Lion’s Club Camp.
Ed’s kayaking partner made it to shore and immediately began efforts to free him from beneath the log. After approximately 10 minutes, he realized he was not going to be able to free Ed by himself. He then summoned a second kayaker that was waiting downstream for them. Together, they were able to free Ed but were unable to get him to shore. He and his kayak then floated further downstream. His body was eventually recovered by members of the Carbon County Search and Rescue approximately a mile downstream at 4:13 p.m.
Ed was a valued member of Park County Search and Rescue; serving our citizens and visitors as a volunteer since 1997. He was the leader of the swift-water rescue team and an experienced high-angle rope rescue technician. He served as a mentor to new SAR members and chaired the Training Committee.
Sheriff Scott Steward commented that Ed was a “water dog” and could always be found in or near the water. “We here at the sheriff’s office and Search and Rescue are currently grieving the loss of our friend. But the community has also lost a caring and compassionate public servant. However, there is some comfort for all of us in knowing that Ed passed away doing what he loved.”
The man who died while kayaking on Rock Creek in Carbon County was a 20-year veteran of Park County Search and Rescue. Edward Conning, 66, of Cody, Wyoming was identified as the kayaker that drowned after his kayak hit a fallen tree on Rock Creek south of Red Lodge on Sunday afternoon.
According to Red Lodge Fire Chief Tom Koontz, Conning was an experienced kayaker around the age of 65. He was kayaking around 10 miles south of Red Lodge when he hit some trouble and his kayak over turned. Conning was stuck under the kayak for more than ten minutes, and that is where he is believed to have drowned. He then traveled down the river until getting caught on a tree submerged in the river.
He was a valued member of Park County Search and Rescue, serving citizens and visitors as a volunteer since 1997. He was leader of the swift-water rescue team and an experienced high-angle rope rescue technician. He served as a mentor to new SAR members and chaired the Training Committee.
Sheriff Scott Steward commented that Conning was a “water dog” and could always be found in or near the water. “We here at the sheriff’s office and Search and Rescue are currently grieving the loss of our friend. But the community has also lost a caring and compassionate public servant. However, there is some comfort for all of us in knowing that Ed passed away doing what he loved," he said.
