The first weekend in October brings stunning fall colors and booming 6500 cfs releases to Maine’s Dead River. At this level the 13.5 miles to West Forks is big, continuous Class III-IV whitewater with big waves and deep holes. According to the Kennebec Journal Online Ralph Jolin, 27, a commercial rafting guest, was running the river when his boat flipped in a large hole in Long Rapids. The other people in the raft were thrown free, but Mr. Jolin was recirculated in the hole several times before washing out. He was not breathing when he was recovered downstream. Rescuers tried CPR without success.
