Wrong combination of factors
The USGS gage height at Leavittsburg on Sunday, May 2, was between 6.5 and 7.0 feet. That's pretty high. With the river that high, the current would be swift. The water temperature was between 52 and 53F according to the gage. My guess is that the victim was inexperienced, lured to the river by the warm spring day and probably unaware of the dam and unable to recognize it from far enough upriver to avoid it. From the news accounts, it sounds as if the victim was paddling alone. All of those factors combine for a reasonably high probability of a bad result. The victim was extremely lucky that two fishermen were nearby to get her out of the water and call the rescue squad. I hope she makes a complete recovery.
|