|
Posted: 5:05 PM May 25, 2008
3rd Rafting Death in One Week Occurs in WV
Two people have died on the Cheat River in separate incidents, while one other person died on the New River. Reporter: The Associated PressEmail Address: news@wsaz.com |
|
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- A Connecticut man is the second person to die while rafting the Cheat River this month, according to the state Division of Natural Resources.
Nicholas J. Hercun, 32, of Fairfield, Conn. was on a rafting trip with several other people guided by Cheat River Outfitters.
Officials did not immediately have more details, but say the accident occurred Saturday near part of the river commonly called the "Big Nasty" in Preston County.
Hercun's death is the state's third whitewater fatality in a week.
On May 17, New Yorker Vicki Jane Miller-Savard died while rafting on the Cheat. Three days later, Oklahoman Charles R. Brown died in a rafting accident on the New River.
Latest Comments
My husband and I were on that trip in May with Cheat River Outfitters. We are experienced rafters and did not plan the trip for the "thrill". We enjoy rafting. I am still haunted by that day and will never forget. My husband and I were in one of the rafts that flipped. I was left with two herniated discs but I do not blame that on the rafting company. I chose to go on this trip and knew the dangers involved. However, we were not aware until we had been on the river for a half hour that three of the individuals in our raft had never been rafting. This fact should be made available to all of those in the raft before the trip begins. I still have a heavy heart from that day due to the death of one of the rafters in the raft in front of us. I also thank God for the guide in our raft for if it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't be here today. He saved my life.
[ Report Abuse ]
Its amazing how people forget that they are responsible for their own actions and when something bad happens , the fingers come out to blame anyone else involved. Yes raft companies should be more safety concious but, this isnt cricket we're playing. Im more suprised at how many idiots put their faith in a raft company to get them down a river (after they sign a paper saying its not the raft comp responsibility) instead of learning the skill to get themselves down.
[ Report Abuse ]
This comment is directed to Michelle. First, you say that you went rafting with Songer and felt safe. This may have been true, but I wish you would have spent the necessary time researcing Songer's record of customer deaths before carelessly implying that guides at another outfitter are unskilled. I have been guiding for nearly a decade on rivers throughout WV and Maryland, and can honestly say that ability often pales in comparison to the power of the water-or even blind bad luck. One example: Tim Gavin, one of the best kayakers in the region was killed on the Blackwater. If given more than 1000 characters to respond to your post, I would provide more examples of ability being trumped by luck and water. As I am running out of space, I will end with this: Please, if you weren't there and aren't a river guide, experienced paddler, or rescue professional, don't comment as if you are. In short, if you don't know what you're talking about, perhaps you should keep your mouth shut.
[ Report Abuse ]
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- Rape victim's parents charged with child abuse
- Italian police arrest 4 in Mumbai attacks
- Hospital hearing set for Hasan
- Prosecutor: Knox resented roommate
- H1N1 cases down; vaccine access up
- Plea deal reached in Wal-Mart trial
- Anglican leader to meet with Pope
- Fans mourn end of 'Oprah' show
- Dozens missing after China mine blast
- Senate vote next step on health bill road
- Students hold buildings in protest
- CDC: H1N1 cases down, vaccine availability up
- Charge against Blackwater guard dropped
- Oprah ending talk show in 2011
- 'Summers were the worst,' says woman in sex abuse case
- Senate vote next step on what could be a long road for health care
- Attorney: Fort Hood suspect to be held in hospital
- Burned Florida teen having skin graft surgery
- New cervical cancer screening guidelines released
- Ex-U.S. official, wife to plead guilty in Cuba spy case
- Prosecutor: Knox taunted, killed victim
- Pope to meet Anglican leader amid tensions
- Scores missing after China mine blast
- Bacteria prompts nasal spray recall in U.S., Europe
- Blind students sing upon school supplies' arrival
- Peru: Arrests made in ring that sold human fat
- Right-wing activists storm TV station over 'bias'
- Football fever turns nasty in Cairo
- Man who killed wife while dreaming is released
- Police find body, 3 rifles after Saipan shooting spree
- Prosecutor: Knox tortured roommate
- Parents of 8-year-old rape victim charged with abuse
- Florida men sentenced for plotting terror attacks
- Wal-Mart line jumper to plead guilty to resisting arrest
- 'Summers were the worst,' Mohler family accuser says
- Burned Florida teen having skin graft surgery
- Hospital hearing sought for Fort Hood suspect
- Man faces murder charge in Shaniya Davis case
- Suspects sold fat harvested from corpses, authorities say
- Police: Suspect in Arkansas slayings killed in shootout
- Scrutiny for cancer screenings
- Can your doctor spot H1N1?
- Purpose found after loved ones' suicides
- CDC: H1N1 cases down, vaccine availability grows
- 'I want my mammograms!'
- What to expect in Saturday health care vote
- New cervical cancer screening guidelines released
- Vicks nasal spray recalled over bacteria
- Two men reflect national divide over health reform
- HIV+ soccer team scores against stigma
- Michigan-Ohio State and more Saturday Storylines
- Predictions for Michigan-Ohio St. and more
- Seth Davis: Syracuse will go as far as the once-reluctant Johnson carries it
- Hawks soar to league-best 11-2 on Smith's tip-in
- No. 6 Boise St. rips Utah St. to stay in BCS chase
- LeBron drops 40 as Cavs pull away from Pacers
- Death of Brees' mother ruled a suicide
- Carter's big 4th quarter carries Magic past Celtics
- Giants LB Pierce out indefinitely with neck injury
- Knicks decide against signing free-agent Iverson
- Hundreds Greet Miles Ferguson on Return Home to Portsmouth
- South Charleston Police Seek 2 Teens in Connection with 'Gruesome' Murder
- Miley Cyrus Tour Bus Overturns in Va., Killing 1
- Name Released: Man Shot in South Charleston, Found Near Mound
- Man Shot Five Times at a Home in Kanawha County, Name Released
- Ambulance Crashes while En Route to Accident, 3 Hurt
- Racial Profiling Allegations in Huntington; HPD Chief Said He Was Barred from News Conference
- Jimmy John's Delivery Guy Robbed After Making Delivery
- Child Hit By Bus in Front of School
- One Dead in Boyd County Crash, Name Released
- Hundreds Greet Miles Ferguson on Return Home to Portsmouth
591 Comments - One Dead in Boyd County Crash, Name Released
54 Comments - Huntington City Council Members Discuss Violence in Downtown Bars
30 Comments - Ambulance Crashes while En Route to Accident, 3 Hurt
21 Comments - MCTC Picks New Name, Initials Remain the Same
20 Comments - UPDATE: Two Arrested in Double Carter County Murder
17 Comments
![]() |
| PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354 |
![]() |
Full 2010 Olympic coverage from the WSAZ Olympic Zone. Coverage begins Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30p with the Opening Ceremony on WSAZ |
![]() |
A glittering holiday show full of fun and surprises for the whole family! Children thrill as Santa takes them on a magical ride to his workshop. |
![]() |
Healthy Connections Find a local health professional |
![]() |
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting. |
| SOMC Very good things are happening here |
|
| WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers |
|
| Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs |
|
| Healthy Tri-State Tips to live a healthier lifestyle |





