Personal Injury Law

Kayaking a swollen river takes more than just guts

By Steve Lombardi

KCCI reported on a drowning involving kayakers from Iowa. Brothers originally from Creston, Iowa were on a kayak trip on the Pennsylvania River in the Philadelphia area. The river attacks kayakers as it swells with rains. These two were not described as being very familiar with the river, the area or kayaking for that matter. With the recent rains it attracted the 28-year-old Christopher Miller and the 34-year-old Chad who were killed, and probably drowned in the muddy swollen fast moving river. Chris died in the hospital but Chad's body hasn't been found.

'On Tuesday, two brothers would have been turned away if they had tried to rent kayaks: Heavy rain had churned up the usually slow-paced creek, creating a muddy, menacing environment that prompted rental businesses to suspend operations.

Christopher Miller, 28, of Yonkers, N.Y., and the Rev. Chad Miller, 34, of Wilmington, never got to hear warnings from shop owners. They borrowed two kayaks from a friend, police said, and began a trip at Shaw's Bridge Park in East Bradford Township that quickly led to their deaths.'

Original story reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Kayaking in a swollen river takes a great deal of skill, strength, endurance and experience. Be aware of your limits. Adventure travel is more dangerous than you might think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1sbzmBhOGw

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on June 18, 2009 (boomark / email).