Details are sketchy at this point, but two fire department divers drowned yesterday trying to rescue a kayaker on Slippery Rock Creek near Pittsburgh. The kayaker flipped on a log and may have pinned (details unclear). The divers apparently went in ~1 hour later trying to "rescue" him (I've got to think it was a recovery, not a rescue at that point). The Slippery Rock is normally an intermediate run -- however, given that it was at something like 1300 CFS instead of last week's level of 350 CFS, it was probably quite pushy and getting difficult. This creek is also known for the numerous strainers which show up every spring -- it's not a place to be at high water conditions unless you know it well and have scouted the drops. It's unknown if the rescuers had whitewater rescue training. ---Rsk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
More details on this incident from a local paddler, plus a pointer to a news article on the incident. > Here is some more info on the tragedy yesterday at McConnell's Mills. They > have now recovered the body of the original victim at risk to even more > rescuer's today (although the water was dropping earlier in the day but > rising again this evening). The water level yesterday was approximately 2.5 > to 3 ft, which is very pushy and not recommended for first timers or anyone > without Class 3-4 skills. The eddies at that level are very strong and > boily. A good roll is strongly recommended on this river at any level. The > Slippery Rock is full of undercut rocks and swimming is to be avoided. Most > of us have paddled at extremely low levels and have figured out where the > undercuts are and there's a bunch! > > Television news is reporting that the kayaker was new to the sport and had > approximately 6 months experience. Not sure if he was on the river by > himself but he was caught in a strainer in the hardest section "The Mile" of > the Slippery Rock. > > http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/pit/news/stories/news-61228020010409-140403.html ---Rsk Rich Kulawiec rsk_at_rockandwater.net rsk_at_gsp.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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