CANOEIST PINS ON TREE, TRAPPING PADDLER
Lower Kings River below Pine Flat Dam: May 29, 1993
DESCRIPTION: The Lower Kings River below Pine Flat Dam is a popular fast-moving float trip. The victim, Amadeus Ramirez, 20, was paddling a tandem canoe which broached against a tree growing from the center of the river. He became pinned underwater, between the canoe and the tree, and drowned.
SOURCE: NORS Currents
ANALYSIS: The area downstream of a swamped canoe is extremely dangerous, and this incident underscores the need to stay on the upstream side, or better yet, swim away from the boat.
