On July 8th Taylor Veitch,10, drowned after he was thrown from a raft on the South Fork of the American River near Lotus, California. It was the first commercial fatality on this section in fifteen years. The "Newswatch" web site reported that the accident occurred in Class III Meatgrinder Rapid, which a local paddler noted was quite bony due to relatively low releases from the dam. The raft hit a rock, throwing Veitch and several others into the river. The others surfaced quickly, but he did not. Guides saw him go into the water, but were unable to find him. He was located a few hours later by rescue squads, after the water was turned off. His life vest had been torn off, and a foot was caught between two rocks. It was a clear case of foot entrapment. CW
