Very sad news

[lou]

A canoeist tragically lost his life following an accident on the river Crake yesterday.
My thoughts and condolences go out to all those concerned.

Lou

See BBC news
here

[Dave @ TRC]

Lost for words anyone anytime be carful out there boys and girls


Me Heart goes to to the family


Dave

[Helen M]

Thoughts are with family.

Please be careful all.

H - x

[Robin Ashcroft]

Sadly there was a fatality yesterday, involving a group that came down behind us. The River Crake was high (31st Dec), but quite a lot higher today (1 Jan).

There are a lot of overhanging branches - at head height at these levels - the aformentioned tree and a badly opened gate (giving access to a farmers field, but now open into the main flow).

There are also two tethered kayaks about half way down the Bobbin Mill rapid left from yesterday's rescue attempt and these will be a hazard - particularly with the flow as it is today.

I'd arrived on the scene about 15 minutes after a paddler got caught/pinned on a a rock. It looked like he'd swam and got caught on a big boulder by his spray deck, with some possible other entanglements. There were some very brave attempst to free him, but the force of the water was too much and would have undoubtedly have taken any swimmer as well. We couldn't pull an attached throw line up stream, under him as the force of the water just lifted it above him. The river is canalised at this point with very steep sides. All in all it was a bloody nightmare.

The Fire Brigade and Swift Water Rescue were on the scene as quickly as could reasonably be expected, but even with their gear it took some time to free him. At this stage the reality was it was a recovery rather than a rescue although there were extensive efforts to revive him.

It was dreadul situation, but all involved tried their utmost and as far as I could see the party were certainly competent and well equipped. The river was however as big as I've ever paddled it, or would now care to paddle it.

[das bump]

sounds like an absolute nightmare. thoughts go out to family and friends as well as the rescuers. very sad news.

stay safe everyone

George

[Rockrat]

I was one of the party, and also the son of the kayaker who got pinned at the bottom of Bobbin Mill Rapids. My dad swam at the entrance to the rapids just below the weir it is believed, but because I was acting as safety cover at the bottom of the rapid I was unaware of this until I saw the boat and him swimming under the bridge half way down the rapid. There was an attempt at this point to get him out on a line, but unfortunately it just fell short. From here my dad carried on down the river bouncing off the rocks in the middle. At one point he managed to stop on these rocks, close enough for me to attempt to get him on a line. Unfortunately the line I threw missed and before I could re-throw it he had moved on downstream, in the main flow onto a submerged rock.

He was now pinned, but his head was above water and I could communicate with him whilst I tried to reorganise throwlines to get something over to him. I think it took me two attempts to get a line to him and on one occasion I got swept off downstream, but managed to regain an eddy and get back to my original position. When my dad eventually received a line I tried, on my own, to free him, but the force of the water was to much for any successful solo rescue attempt. At this point I think the force of the water caused him to collapse over the rock pinning him so now his head was under the water.

Three more of the group descended the rapids, unaware of what was really happening. I now ditched the throwline in the hope of swimming over to my dad and pulling him free. I missed on the first occasion, but manged to swim to the other side of the river, get out and try on several more occasions. At one point I managed to get myself on the rock which was pinning him and tried pulling him off. All this resulted in was his PFD and cag riding up his body. I eventually had to let go and swim to the side of the river and get out to try again. One of our group had now made his way back upstream with a rope and we now tried lowering him down to my dad. This didn't work and we repeated this over and over again until another member of the party descended the rapid and made the eddy in the middle of the river, where my boat was tethered. We now had two lines attached to a paddler and we tried lowering him down onto my dad, but the current of the water didn't let us get to him. The paddler in the water pulled their harness and swam off downstream and got out to rejoin the rescue effort.

The paddler in the middle of the river tried using the rope, now across the river as a handrail to get to my dad, but this again failed. At this point, I think, the emergency services arrived and started making their own plans whilst we still tried getting to my dad using the rope in the hope of cutting free his spraydeck, which we think was trapping him under the water. On realising this was not working we now tried floating a rope underneath him and again this failed. I now moved away from the river, as did the two other paddlers, and we let the Swift Water Rescue Team free him, which they thankfully did. From here he was flown to Furness Hospital in Barrow where they worked on him for over four hours trying to bring his core temperature up before trying to start his heart. This didn't work and unfortunately he was pronounced dead soon after.

My dad, and the rest of the group we were with were experienced kayakers and, like said previously, were equipped properly for the river at this level. My heartfelt thanks go out to all the Fire Services, Ambulance Crews, Police Officers, the crew of the RAF Sea King helicopter, locals of Spark Bridge, the doctors and nurses of Furness Hospital who worked continuously for four hours on my dad as well as the two paddlers, and my friends, Tony Morgan and Martin Russell who continuously jumped into the river to try and free my dad without considering the danger they were putting themselves in.


My dad in July 07 on Ullswater.

As said there are two kayaks tethered in the middle of the river. I am unsure whether they are still there, but if they are they could pose a hazard and it would be greatly appreciated if someone could retrieve these if it is safe to do so, but that is not a major priority at the moment.

Iain Robinson

[vagabond]

It is always sad to loose a paddler, just a friend you have never met.

Peace out

d

[woody]

Rockrat, Iain.

Heart goes out to you.
Dont know anything to say that will help.
Very brave of you to write about it.

Frith

[Matthew Lomax]

My most hart felt condolences to you and your family Iain.

Mathew

[Solarin]

My heart goes out to you and your family Iain. I'm sorry for your loss.

[filo]

My heart felt condolences go out to the whole family and freinds.
Iain your truely a brave couragous young man ,your actions and post.

Dave

[Martin Stockdale]

Iain,

Deepest sympathies to you and your family from all your friends,


Martin

[David Fairweather]

Condolences to all involved, especially Iain and family.

[rob.b.666]

Iain, my family and I are truly lost for words.

If there's anything that we, or anyone else at Garstang Club can do to assist in any way, please feel free to call on us.

R.I.P Clive.

Sincerest sympathies

Rob, Jackie and Cameron

[ccc]

Iain, Rockrat I am so sorry for your loss - you and your friends made a truly valiant effort to save your dad. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Dorine

[forestknights]

I can only add my sorrow at your loss and my respect for trying your utmost to free your Dad and then taking the time to write about it on here.

[Glyn B]

Clive was one of the nicest men I have ever known, a true, (and in the proper sense of the word,) gentle man, who will be missed by everyone who knew him. My thoughts and sympathy go to all his family on this tragic day. Glyn

[Captain Scum]

Deepest sympathies to you and your family at this very sad time.

If there is anything we can do to help, please let me know.

Dave Shawcross (Duddon Canoe Club, Ulverston)

[james fleming]

Iain, my condolences to you, your family and those involved in the rescue.

As mentioned, you are a brave and courageous man.

James Fleming.

[Martyn Hartley]

I also knew Clive (and Iain) personally, and am very saddened by this appalling news.

Clive had done a great deal with Ribble to develop Iain and many other young paddlers. He will be greatly missed.

I also lost my father a few months ago, so have some idea of what Iain might be going through, although I didn't have the trauma of going through the incident as it happened.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[greg bartlett]

My sincere condolences for you and your family on your tragic loss. It sounded like a hellish position to be in, and a brave effort by all in attempting to rescue your father. A sad time indeed, and my thoughts are with you.

Best wishes

Greg

[Randy Fandango]

My sincere condolences to you and your family, Iain, on your sad loss.
Giles

[councildog]

Very sorry to hear about this tragic event

my heart goes out to you Iain and your family

[andy noblett]

May I add my sincere condolences to Iain and his family. I had worked with both Clive and Iain over the last few years, Clive's work in canoeing will be missed by all his friends and colleagues in the sport. Condfolences again.
Andy

[James Hartley]

It is always deeply saddening to hear when something like that this happens, even more so when its local and affects someone who've you met.
Deepest sympathies and regrets to Ian and family, and if there is anything can do, please ask

[clarky999]

Ian, I'm truly sorry for your loss.

[lou]

Iain. On behalf of Clitheroe Canoe Club and all its members, may I offer my deepest sympathy at this sad time. Although I did not know your dad, many from Clitheroe did, and he will be missed very much in the paddling community and beyond.
Our thoughts are with you.

Louise
Clitheroe Canoe Club

[David Hepworth]

Iain your Dad rocked and you should be truely proud of yourself and your friends for the rescue efforts you put in. I know it is a sad time for you, but at least Clive went doing something he loved he wouldn't want it any other way.

[kevc]

Iain

My condolences go out to you and your family

Kev

[Mark Dillon]

I am deeply sorry to hear of Clives death, it is truly tragic news and my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family at this time.
Clive was one of lifes true gents, a genuinely nice guy who would help anyone.
Ribble Canoe Club, the community and all who new him have lost a good friend.

Mark