Posted: April 19th, 2011
Kayaker drowns in Allegheny River
Condolences to the family and friends of William Root, a Delaware County man who accidentally drowned Sunday when he fell out of his kayak on the Allegheny River.
Today’s story from the Associated Press:
”Venango County Coroner Tyler Best has ruled 56-year-old William Root’s death an accident.
“Root, of Aston, was pulled from the river after a fellow kayaker called 911 to report the incident about 3:40 p.m. Sunday. Root died a short time later at UPMC Northwest hospital in Seneca.
“Root was kayaking in Rockland Township near Kennerdell, about 70 miles north of Pittsburgh.
“Best says the autopsy was performed Monday. Windy conditions contributed to the rough water that caused Root to fall into the water.”
I’m sorry, but people do not “fall” out of their kayaks. The kayaks capsize, and either the person is trapped or bails out. All these stories reporting that Bill, a personal friend, fell out of his kayak make it sound as though he just toppled over into the water. Not so. The rough water obviously capsized his kayak, and he was either trapped underneath it and then floated free or he managed to exit it. In either case, he swallowed water and drowned. A tragedy.