Cd'A woman drowns in Montana accident
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 8 months AGO
<p><span style= "border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"> SAR Coordinator Brian Heino and Park Ranger Scott Emmerich are seen with the overturned kayak.</span></p>
This just in from Flathead (Mont.) Sheriff Chuck Curry:
On September 21, 2011, at approximately 12:54 pm, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office was notified of a boating accident on the North Fork River south of Polebridge. Initial reports indicated that a female victim, Shawna Thomas, 51, was trapped underwater.
Flathead County Sheriff's Office, North Valley Search and Rescue, the Flathead County Dive Rescue Team, Glacier National Park, Blankenship Fire, and Red Eagle Aviation were all dispatched to the area. Responders were led to the area of the accident which was approximately four miles south of Polebridge and half a mile east of the North Fork Road.
Rescuers discovered a submerged and partially collapsed kayak at a tight bend in the North Fork River. While water levels were low, the accelerated speed of the water around the bend developed a strong hydraulic force on the kayak. The kayak was a rigid framed collapsible kayak that had been caught between two root balls of trees that were hanging out over the water. The back end of the kayak had been caught and the force of the water twisted the front of the kayak around one of the root balls. This caused the kayak to roll over and also bend. The female occupant was caught in the partially collapsed vessel while her husband was washed out. He was not injured and attempted repeatedly to free the kayak. He was unsuccessful and went to the North Fork Road to flag down help.
Rescuers managed to free the kayak and found the victim inside. Deputy Coroner Jordan White identified the victim as Shawna Thomas, a 51 year old female of Coeur d'Alene, ID. She was pronounced dead at the scene and Red Eagle Aviation transported her and the kayak out of the scene by helicopter.
Thomas and her husband had extensive kayaking experience and were properly equipped and trained for the river and conditions. The hazard was difficult to see until they had come around the corner at which time there was little time to react. This was an unlikely accident which would have been difficult to anticipate or avoid.
