A missed portage around Angel Falls Rapid in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area has led to the death of a 61-year-old paddler.
Tony Evans, 61, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was one of four men who headed off on a two-day canoe trip on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River around 3 p.m. last Friday, launching their two open canoes at the Leatherwood Ford river access.
Park rangers say that about two miles downstream the four missed their intended portage at Angel Falls Rapid and were swept into the Class IV whitewater, where both canoes overturned. All four men were washed through the rapid and emerged in a large pool of flat water. They were able to establish voice contact with each other and verified that all four had emerged from the rapid.
The two members of the group who were furthest downstream secured the canoes and equipment on the west bank of the river and awaited the arrival of their two companions. They saw Mr. Evans swimming toward them, then suddenly give a shout and begin having trouble staying afloat. The two men swam to his aid and found Evans face down in the water and unresponsive. They pulled him to shore and attempted to revive him, but without success. Mr. Evans was not wearing a lifejacket at the time.
One member of the group hiked about a quarter-mile through very rugged terrain to reach a hiking trail, then followed it for about two miles upstream to Leatherwood Ford, where he used an emergency phone to call 911.
Rangers Tom Barnes and Howard Duncan responded along with personnel from Scott County EMS and the county’s rescue squad. Rescue team personnel used ropes and a litter to pull Evans up a very steep and muddy river bank and carried him to a trail where an ATV was used to transport him back to an ambulance at Leatherwood Ford. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.
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Comments
Certainly a tragic event, but somewhat disturbing are several comments related to the lack of cellphone service. I believe we need to rely less on phones to bail us out of trouble and more on pre-trip research and common sense. As much as possible, we should avoid installation of cell towers in the parks on ridges, etc.
If people are going to engage in high adventure then they have assumed the risk. It is regrettable that a person died. But basic safety precaution when on any water is a PFD. A cell is no good without service or when it gets wet.
People have to learn to be responsible for their own safety and that means research when traveling an unknown area. Even check out the conditions when it is a known area.
I have done WW rafting Class IV an V and fallen off is dangerous water and the guide was very quick to get me recovered since it was an underwater ledge spot. That was with all the safety precautions. I was in little danger due to good guides.
I like adventure but it always has risk. I do not like the idea that NPS is responsible for warning when people choose to go off the beaten trail.
If this area has more deaths then maybe more warnings are in order. But since it may have been a cardiac condition that is not warranted yet.
I was paddling the exact same route this weekend. I had no prior knowledge of this incident. The portage is completely ambiguous to first time travelers. We had a map, we knew the portage was to come up soon. We tried to paddle to the right bank as soon as we saw it ahead, but the current was too strong and drug two of our canoes directly into the rapids.
We were lucky enough to have survived. We also hiked the rugged climb up to the Leatherwood trail and back to the camp after one of our boats was destroyed by the rocks.
Whether the portage take out sign has to be replaced monthly, weekly or hourly, the effort would be worth it. The rapids come up quickly and without any notice to first time travelers.
as we all hate that Tony is gone ---we also know he was doing what he loved. I met him kayaking many times as he help teach me some of his own knowledge and experience.. Tony was well educated and was quite aware of the rules the extreme dangers and for his loss i am sorry to hear about.The water we shared common love for, as still as the water can be it also can speak loud and angry...we al must remember that...as i lift tony up and whispers as angels dance.... for those in charge of making our water ways safely traveled its only my hope we gain more directions for thos that are new to the water ways so there is no guess that they need to exit before approaching a class level they may not be prepared for.... as white water rescue i am seeking so that if by any mis hap that i miss my departure and find myself into this sitiuation i want to be better educated but as we seen no matter the experience its all about respecting the dangers and trying to learn as much as we can befor we even travel our water to make sure we have safe passage.... (tony)..nina
No cell phone service in the river gorge
I very nearly drowned at Angel Falls 34 years ago.
I was in peak condition at about 32 years of age.
Having portrayed all my wife's and I's camping gear I donned two life jackets and looped the bow line thru it in case I needed to pull myself out from the rocks.
I got 300 ft above the Falls and was thrown backward and disappeared below the water. The bow line was dragging me underwater. The boat was fully submerged as witnessed by my wife.
I was underwater thru several bends in the river and spit out several hundred feet below the Falls. I was choked and nearly couldn't get my breath.
My wife could not see me where I came up. I was swept downstream a good quarter mile before I could get the canoe out.
I got back to my distraught wife 30 minutes after she had last saw me. She thought I had perished.
Our three day trip turned into an overnight and I walked out and hitchhiked to retrieve my car.
I didn't canoe for ten years from fear.