KAYAK PINS, KILLING DOCTOR
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Raymond Neef, 31, an experienced kayaker, drowned on March 3, 1997 after his kayak wrapped around a tree. This happened just 100 yards below the put-in on Boone Creek near Lexington, KY. This river, Class II-III at normal flows; comes up quickly and was flooded that Sunday morning. Neef and his companion launched their boats at
7:30 am
and almost immediately encountered trouble. Neef's pin looked manageable at first, so his companion attempted to reach him with a throw line. Suddenly the boat bent and wrapped, trapping Neef inside and pulling him under water. It was a very bad situation according to those who saw footage on the evening news. By 8:00 am rescue squads had been called. It took them seven hours, using a Telfer Lower, to recover the body in a driving rain.
SOURCE: Lexington Herald-Leader; Michael Roberts posting to rec.boats.paddle
ANALYSIS: High water increases the difficulty of most rivers, and flooding creates additional strainer hazards as the river leaves its banks. This demands added caution even from experienced paddlers. Dr. Neff was clearly not up to dealing with this challenge.
On March 3, 1997 Dr. Raymond Neef, 31, an experienced kayaker, drowned after his kayak wrapped around a tree just 00 yards below the put-in on Boone Creek near Lexington, Kentucky. This river, Class III-IV at normal flows; comes up quickly and was flooded that Sunday morning. Internet postings and newspaper articles report that Neef and his companion launched their boats at 7:30 AM and almost immediately encountered trouble. Neef's pin looked manageable at first, so his companion attempted to reach him with a throw line. Suddenly the boat bent and wrapped, trapping Neef inside and pulling him under water. It was a very bad situation according to those who saw footage on the evening news. It took rescue squads 7 hours, using a telfer lower, to recover the body in a driving rain.
