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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 Press Email Address: news@wsaz.com |
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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
Posted by: Linda
on Aug 6, 2009 at 03:22 PM
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.
Posted by: TonyB
on Jul 24, 2009 at 06:57 AM
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.
Posted by: Jim
on Jun 1, 2008 at 09:44 PM
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.
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