A night rescue by helicopter on North Carolina's Haw River. The short version of the story is that a man in a recreational kayak (?) with beer ran the Haw River. It was running about 5 ft higher than normal. No PFD or helmet. He was stuck in a tree in the middle of a rapid known as Copeland (maybe class 2+ at most, similar to a mix of Pattons Run /Gonzo shoals). Paddlers from the area had advised the responding unit not to take motorized craft. The responding rescue squad broke 2 motors on the shoals, They called a mayday that brought multiple other squads to the area. Then the NC helo aquatic rescue arrived to a belligerent patient and were able to get him out.
Link to river description: https://thehaw.org/paddle-trail/river-section-guides/glencoe-to-red-slide-park/?fbclid=IwAR3eKDOkLvpKSlvFtPEJm80Iw9GJErxsFcabivCqEHC_4tMhbaHQOZrs3rI
He was with an "experienced kayaker" who sent for help.
