ocoee river rafting death

With the biggest, wettest, most fun stretch of unbroken rapids in the Southeast, the Ocoee River is the must-raft destination for visitors from Atlanta, Knoxville, Chattanooga and across the greater Blue Ridge area. Whether you decide to take a trip down the Middle Ocoee, the Upper Ocoee, or both, we want you to have a great whitewater experience. "That's more important than the loss of business. Since 1976, Ocoee Rafting has welcomed many to miles of challenging and exciting Class III and IV rapids on one of the country's premier rivers. Before that, the previous drowning came in 2013 whenÂ two women died about 24 hours apart. Early reports indicated that the river was running higher than unusual, but the levels were within the range considered safe for commercial rafting, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. The Ocoee River is America's most-traveled commercial paddling river. The Ocoee River in in the Cherokee National Forest is among the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the country because of its more than 20 continuous rapids. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Known for its big waves, warm water and continuous action. "Both of the guys this weekend were very good raft guys," he said. One woman was pulled back on board. Contact Mark Pace atÂ mpace@timesfreepress.comÂ orÂ 423-757-6659. A reference to the friend and rafting outfitter listing her age as 16 has been removed. And regardless of the official safe water level, the final decision on whether to raft is made by each trip leader, Gilliam said. "Our rafting guide, Raphael (Rafi) from Outdoor Adventure Rafting, did a fantastic job of providing our group with an adventurous, fun, entertaining, bonding, and safe trip." On Sunday the flow was slightly less, at 2,200 to 2,500 cubic feet per second. More than 300,000 people go every year. Everyone, including Scouts and camps with teens, love this roller coaster stretch of river where your guide will steer you through an unbroken run of class III … Ten miles of everything both the Upper Ocoee and Middle Ocoee have to offer plus a break for a great riverside lunch midway down the river. A 1,640 foot (500 m) stretch of the Upper Ocoee River was narrowed by two-thirds to create the drops and eddies needed for a slalom course. Welcome to Ocoee Rafting! UPDATE: The Polk County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the 25-year-old who drowned in the Ocoee River. The girl's leg got caught in a rescue rope. The Ocoee Whitewater Rafting Full River Trip Best Rafting Trip in the Southeast. Man shocked while painting Wednesday at Pilgrim's Pride, Justice Department puts Big Tech under the antitrust microscope. High Country Adventures: Accident or death waiting to happen - See 2,384 traveler reviews, 948 candid photos, and great deals for Ocoee, TN, at Tripadvisor. This photo shows a kayaker on the Ocoee River in the Cherokee National Forest in Ducktown, Tennessee during the US Whitewater Kayak/Canoe Olympic Trials in April, 2000. This is not the first time it's been at that level.". A web page says the family had the difficult decision of taking the 15-year-old off life support. At the time, there had been six deaths on the Middle Ocoee since 1993, according to American Whitewater, a national nonprofit organization focused on preserving rivers and whitewater. In other words, there is one death for every 250,000 to 400,000 "person visits" of whitewater rafting. Copyright Â© 2020, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Grace Hookway kayaked the Ocoee River on Monday, but she skipped the first major rapid in the Middle Ocoee. If you are rafting the Ocoee River our outpost address is: 225 Industrial Driver Ducktown, TN 37326. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. We’ll be following CDC and U.S. Coast Guard guidelines on all our trips and facilities. A teenage girl who fell into the Ocoee River in Polk County, Tennessee while rafting last Sunday has died. April – This is a great time for Ocoee River rafting.The air temperatures range 60s to 80s. - See 2,720 traveler reviews, 1,204 candid photos, and great deals for Ocoee, TN, at Tripadvisor. This subreddit is a place to discuss anything and … Update July 25, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.: A family member of the victim confirmed the girl was 15 years old. "Our pressing concern right now is looking at what happened and what took place," he said. The rapids are categorized as Class III, but Mickey’s is Class IV. The primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States and connects the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to achieve goals within our mission. Before that, the last recorded death of a customer on a commercial raft was in 1998, said Kip Gilliam, president of the Ocoee River Outfitters Association. HOME; RAFTING. Rossville man arrested over nude pics intended for Hollywood star, Letter stymies payday empire of Chattanooga's Carey Brown. Because it's the same rapid -- "Grumpy's" -- where two women died in separate incidents Saturday and Sunday after falling out of their professionally guided rafts. POLK COUNTY, Tenn. — The teenager who fell into the Ocoee River while rafting on Sunday has died, according to a GoFundMe Page set up for her medical expenses and an obituary. 17 votes, 12 comments. All rights reserved. Our Upper Only Ocoee River trip offers 5 miles class III and IV whitewater. Ocoee River whitewater rafting trip waiver forms for whitewater rafting with Ocoee Adventure center. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Choose from 2 of our exciting Ocoee based rafting trips near Chattanooga, Knoxville and Ducktown, TN. Our goal is to provide a safe trip.". A dad is fighting for his life after a white water rafting accident left him hospitalised. [She] has passed away and had her loving family by her side. "It's not that they weren't experienced on high water. There have been grief counselors to help the other children on the trip, according to one mother of a student on the trip. It is the first death involving a whitewater customer since two men had medical issues in 2014 and 2015, according to Ocoee River Outfitters Association Ryan Cooke. She was with her church youth group when she fell off the raft and into the river… Jenkins said he's more concerned about figuring out what happened Saturday and Sunday than he is worried about the effect the deaths could have on his customer base. If the water flow gets that high, TVA alerts the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and that agency alerts rafters, said TDEC spokeswoman Kelly Brockman. Carnage Video featuring clips of white water rafting on the Upper Ocoee, Middle Ocoee and Olympic Section. High Country Adventures did not return a request for comment, and Sunburst Adventures declined to comment. Share; ocoee rafting / ocoee river / ocoee river rafting … Check out our Find Us page. It did spike on them, which was unusual.". This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright Â© 2020, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is investigating the deaths of Marnita McGruder, 51, of Rex, Ga., and Katherine Tyler Luna, 36, of Smyrna, Tenn. Six people have died on the Middle Ocoee since 1993, according to American Whitewater, a national nonprofit organization focused on preserving rivers and whitewater. HOME; RAFTING. The teenager's death this weekend occurred on the more heavily trafficked middle section of the river. "We're still in the investigation process, and it could take a few weeks," she said. This is the whole enchilada of the Ocoee rafting world! Two people died in Ocoee Lake, which flows into the river, and a third man died after falling into the man-made upper section of the river near the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Is there lodging near the Ocoee River? McGruder and Luna bump that up to eight. You can expect classic drops and big water rapids. "They pull certificates and they look at the waivers that were signed and that kind of stuff.". Tennessee’s most experienced outfitter, Ocoee Outdoors will guide you through almost continuous class III – IV whitewater excitement from beginning to end. An investigation is being conducted by Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park rangers who will be issuing a report at the conclusion of their work.Â. "The first time I skipped it, I just thought, well it's my first time on the river, let's not do the hardest rapid," she said. As the oldest company on the Ocoee River, we have provided guided whitewater rafting adventures for 44 years. Explore the mighty Olympic Ocoee River with Ocoee Outdoors, the #1 Ocoee River Rafting Company since 1977. ", Two people from her church confirmed the information.Â. The girl's death is the fourth on the Ocoee this year,Â making 2019 an unusually deadly year. "They can make that call; if they don't want to go, they don't have to go," he said, adding that the weekend's water was high but not unusual. A guide with Rolling Thunder is tossed out of his raft while running a rapid on the Ocoee River named "Grumpy's" where two women died this past weekend. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright Â© 2020, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. McGruder grabbed a rescue rope but lost consciousness before she could be pulled to safety. She tailored the trip to our desires both having fun on the river and making sure we were safely rafting." She confirmed that TVA never made that call. Ocoee River whitewater rafting trip waiver forms for whitewater rafting with Ocoee Adventure center. TheÂ teenage girl who fellÂ off a raftÂ during a whitewater paddling trip down the Ocoee River has died, according to church members who knew the girl, a family member and a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family's medical expenses. White Water Rafting Tennessee *Coronavirus, Covid-19 Update – Summer rafting season on the Ocoee River has returned. Classifying rivers is not an exact science but can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect on your adventure. Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at sbradbury@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6525. Ocoee Rafting. 2 rafting deaths in 2 days on Ocoee River in Tenn. Home The advice below is based on their experiences. The 15-year-old Florida girl was rafting with a group from her church on Sunday when paddlers in her boat fell out in the Class III+ tablesaw rapid. Of course, there are other factors to consider, such as the classification of the river , the time of year, and the maturity of the rafter. There are very few rafts on the river which means you can extend your trip with extra whitewater play time as long as you’d like. Ocoee whitewater with NOC is Tennessee rafting at its best. The river was full of rafters again Monday, a day after Luna died. The different levels of river rafting on the Ocoee mean just about anyone can take part in an exhilarating experience! "Hannah was the perfect guide for us as a family of 3! High Country Adventures: Guide fozzy at high country rafting! Gilliam didn't think high water flow affected the guides involved in the accident, who he said were very experienced. The deaths over the weekend are the first on the river since 2011, when two people died on the Upper Ocoee. "It's a freak accident, two times in 24 hours," he said. The Ocoee served as host for the kayaking and canoeing events during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Keith Jenkins, owner of Quest Expeditions, agreed that the river has been high all summer. Copyright Â© 2020, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. His friends tried to rescue him but were not able to get him out of the water. From beginning to end, the Ocoee river will get you soaked, smiling and laughing. Every year, about 230,000 adventurers flock to the Ocoee River, which is the most-visited whitewater river in the United States, according to a study by the University of Tennessee released in May. A day later, Luna fell out of her raft with several other people when the raft was caught in the same rapid. One experienced rafting guide says the river was flowing too fast when two women were killed this weekend after their rafts overturned. "We probably had more high water this year than I can ever remember, and I've been around 30 years," he said. About 4,700 people rafted the river Saturday, Gilliam said. Two people died in 2011, the first fatalities in six years. Commercial rafters have to get off the water at 3,000 cubic feet per second. Rafting 5 days a week, Thursday through Monday. "But now, I'll just avoid it. Online reservations are available or give us a call. Hookway shook her head as she stood on the side of the river waiting for her kayaking buddy to make it through the stretch, which is right at the beginning of the run. The rafting industry on the Ocoee employs 622 people and generates $43.83 million in economic activity each year, according to the UT study. "Commercial traffic did not stop," she said. A 23-year-old rafting guide drowned Saturday on the Ocoee River while trying to rescue some passengers. McGruder was rafting with High Country Adventures, and Luna was on the river with Sunburst Adventures. Furthermore, about 30% of those deaths come from heart conditions or heart attacks. A 15-year-old girl who was in a rafting accident on the Ocoee River on Sunday has died. The Middle Ocoee River is half a day of Tennessee white water rafting fun for individuals, families, and groups. 15.4k members in the whitewater community. Brockman said McGruder and Luna were both wearing life vests and helmets. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Some witnesses said it looked as if McGruder may have had a heart attack, but the results of the autopsy won't be available for several weeks. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. "I can't quote years of experience, but I know one of them has been around since the 1980s.". This story is featured in today's TimesFreePress newscast. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The deaths over the weekend are the first on the river since 2011, when two people died on the Upper Ocoee. And while some adventurers, like Hookway, opted to skip "Grumpy's," several companies were again running rafts through that rapid. Located in the Cherokee National Forest the river provides continuous whitewater excitement with class III and IV rapids scattered down its entire length. The Middle Ocoee contains Level III rapids, which require strong intermediate skills, according to American Whitewater. Culminating with a run through the Upper section’s most famous rapid, Humongous. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpaceÂ and on Facebook atÂ ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP. She was unable to make it to shore and was picked up by two kayakers around 11:45 a.m. Rescuers performed CPR on both women, and both were taken by ambulance to Copper Basin Medical Center, about nine miles away. BENTON, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say two women have died in two days while rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. Stan Guy had grown up on the Ocoee and was a guide for the Sunburst Rafting Company in Benton. Welcome to r/whitewater! The Upper Ocoee combined with the Middle Ocoee River offers the finest full day of continuous Class III and IV whitewater action in the Southeast. "It's very seldom that we have accidents like this, and to have two in the same weekend is absolutely unbelievable.". She has been identified as 15-years-old Yari Hernandez from Leesburg, Florida. I don't want to be the third one.". The two raised that total to eight. The Ocoee Whitewater Center, near Ducktown, Tennessee, United States, was the canoe slalom venue for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and is the only in-river course to be used for Olympic slalom competition. Before that, the last recorded death of a customer on a commercial raft was in 1998, said Kip Gilliam, a rafting outfitter president at the time. The water is warming up with Ocoee River water temperatures in the mid to upper 50s. The Ocoee River in Southeast Tennessee is one of the world’s most popular whitewater rafting rivers. She was rushed to Erlanger Medical Center andÂ had been in critical conditionÂ on life support.Â, "[The girl's] family decided to take her off life support," an update on the page read.Â "There was too much swelling in her brain and nothing more the doctors could do. If you are rafting the Nantahala River our outpost address is: 715 US Hwy 19 Topton, NC 28781. At the time of the accident Saturday, the water was flowing between 2,300 and 2,600 cubic feet per second, according to TVA. Wildwater offers fully-guided half day trips on both sections of the river, as well as a full-day combo trip. "We've been rafting on that same amount of water all summer. All rights reserved. Two people died in Ocoee Lake, which flows into the river, and a third man died after falling into the man-made upper section of the river near the Ocoee Whitewater Center. The decision was made Monday, according to the church members. Upper Only Ocoee River Rafting Trips. Their deaths were the first on the river since 2011, when two people died on the Upper Ocoee. A friend of the victim and rafting outfitters had previously said the girl was 16, while the GoFundMe page had her age listed as 15. Including a run through the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Course. 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