Accident Database

Report ID# 810

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  • Unknown
  • Does not Apply
  • Solo Paddling
  • High Water

Accident Description

The body of a kayaker who disappeared while paddling New Jersey’s Raritan River on June 22nd was found early the following morning. Brian Tomasa, 37, was paddling alone. Although the section near New Brunswick, NJ is a popular class I-II run, it was running 5 feet above normal. No one knows exactly what happened, but there are several dangerous low head dams on the run as well as numerous strainers, bridge piers, and other obstacles in the relentless current.

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