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From: ckoll1234@aol.com (CKoll1234)
Newsgroups: rec.boats.paddle
Subject: LOWER MOOSE FATALITY REPORT
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Date: 3 Dec 1998 02:54:36 GMT
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As American Whitewater's coordinator for the Moose River, I have investigated
the tragic circumstances surrounding the drowning of Martin Parkinson Jr., 45, 
of Camillus, NY while paddling on the Lower Moose River Sunday, November 30.  I
believe the following report is an accurate representation of the incident.

Parkinson was part of a group of four paddling the Lower Moose during an
unseasonably warm November day with temperatures in the 40s.  The river was
running at 3.7'-a low level but with plenty of water for hardshell boats to
negotiate all rapids.  At that level, the Lower Moose is generally considered a
technical class 3 run with a touch of class 4.

However, one of the more tricky elements of the run at any level is the
entrance to the long rapid known as Roostertail.  The most commonly run line
requires a boater to negotiate several diagonal hydraulics extending from river
left.  While not particularly large or nasty, these holes can flip even the
most experienced boaters.  Some paddlers have been temporarily held in the
holes or surfed into the left shore.

Parkinson apparently encountered difficulty in these holes and exited his boat.
 He assumed the whitewater swim position with feet downstream and was swept
down the shallow and rocky left side of the rapid.  Sometime during this
process, either while leaving his boat or during his swim, Parkinson broke his
ankle.  Nevertheless, he did not appear to be in any imminent danger.  While a
long and uncomfortable swim, the remainder of Roostertail contained no known
significant hazards.  The rapid has been been frequently swum by boaters and
commercial rafters who had experienced similar problems in the top holes.
  
Unfortunately, about 50 yards down from the large midriver boulder at the top
of the rapid, Parkinson flushed between two rocks and before his PFD could
return him to the surface, his sprayskirt snagged on a rock on the bottom of
the river.  The current prevented Parkinson from completely raising his head
above the water.

Realizing their friend was in difficulty, the rest of the party returned
upstream but were unable to extract Parkinson or keep his head above water. 
After a period of time, they called for help from a nearby camp.   Local rescue
squads responded and were on hand when a group of boaters from Rochester, NY
came down the river.  The second group of boaters were able to free the body.

Although I am particularly active in the Central NY boating community, I did
not know the victim leading me to believe the party did not possess significant
experience in class 4 water.  Nevertheless, the Lower Moose at that level would
be considered appropriate for strong intermediates looking to improve their
skills.  Swims are not uncommon for groups with this level of experience-but a
swim at this location has never been considered particularly dangerous in the
past.  I can only believe that this tragedy is a case of luck gone horribly
bad.

Parkinson left behind a wife and three children.  A trust fund for the children
has been established at M&T Bank, 5304 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031. 
Contribution should be made toward The Trust Fund for the Parkinson Children.

This report was compiled from information gathered from the Syracuse Post
Standard and from interviews with four other sources.  I believe it to be
factual but apologize if I have misinterpreted any of the accounts.  Obviously,
as a 46-year old paddler who frequently boats the Moose and a father of two-I
feel particularly heartsick over this loss. 

Chris Koll
Liverpool, NY