TWO BOYS FIND TROUBLE ON CATSKILL CREEK

South of Albany, NY : March 31, 1993

DESCRIPTION: On March 31, 1993 Catskill Creek, a popular early-season Class III run, was running bank-full due to recent and snowmelt. Temperatures were in the 60°'s, but the banks were snow covered. Six high school kids in three canoes attempted the run. They wore no wetsuits or drysuits; clothing consisted of foul weather gear and work books. PFD's were worn, but no flotation was used in the canoes. About a half mile from the put-in a canoe wrapped around a tree about 5 feet from the bank, trapping one of the boys. The state police were called; the officers took considerable time making the rescue and hassled boaters who were in the area and trying to help. They also refused to start CPR on one boy, who was not breathing but could possibly have survived because of the cold water. A second boy was hospitalized for hypothermia.

SOURCE: Ed Novak

ANALYSIS: Icy water can make small mistakes fatal, and that's what happened here. The group clearly lacked the gear or experience needed for an early-season run. The use of supplemental flotation could possibly made the wrap less serious.