Florida Woman Dies in Gauley Rafting Accident
Florida Woman Dies in Gauley Rafting Accident Save Email Print
Posted: 9:33 AM Oct 4, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:33 AM Oct 4, 2008
 Reporter: The Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (AP) -- A Florida woman has died of a heart attack following a whitewater rafting accident on West Virginia's Gauley River.

National Park Service Ranger Gary Hartley says the 62-year-old woman died in an ambulance on her way to a hospital Friday. Hartley declined to release her name pending notification of relatives.

Hartley says the woman was on a raft that flipped going through a particularly dangerous rapid known as Pillow Rock. After the guide pulled everyone from the water below the rapid, Hartley says the woman began having trouble breathing.

Hartley says the guide beached the raft and called for help. The woman went into cardiac arrest after National Park Service rangers arrived. Hartley says their efforts to revive the woman were unsuccessful.
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Posted by: Earl on Oct 8, 2008 at 01:32 PM
This woman was a long time friend of mine. The last time I saw her was a few days before this trip. She was very excited about it. This was her 6th trip to these rapids. She was talking about her "Bucket List" and how she has accomplished everything on it. She was an amazing woman.
Posted by: Joe on Oct 6, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I myself would rather leave this earth enjoying myself than in a hospital bed with a terrible illness. I hope she died enjoying life....
Posted by: Debbie on Oct 6, 2008 at 10:59 AM
sad, part of the draw to rafting is danger, people who raft accept the risk, I doubt this will deter them. They say she had a heart attack, but you'd have to wonder if she aspirated river water. If you aspirate it doesn't take much to cause an arrest. I've never done the Gauley, I have the New River, almost got my leg broke, but I'd do it again.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 5, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Sheila will be remembered as a hard working professional that was well respected in our industry. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace dear friend.
Posted by: Tom on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Had close call myself and won't be going back.It's dangerous and most people just look at the fun/excitement side of it.The guides are good and able to do their job but when caught in an undertow under a rock ledge you'd better know what to do and be able to do it.How many have not made it save and sound since the rafting started?Bet you can't find out!
Posted by: Ashley on Oct 5, 2008 at 11:09 AM
To the family>> I am so sorry for your loss. However, what a way to go out! Over rapids! That says, to me, that she lived her life wihtout fear! And that is the most important thing about life, isn't it? That it is lived!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 5, 2008 at 02:31 AM
Being a former raft guide myself, calling an over-turned raft is not an accident. I would consider it to be an incedent. The word accident, in my oppinion gives whitewater rafting a bad name. Flipping a raft on the Gauley or any class IV,or V river can happen at any time and is an day to day and expected occurence. An old saying among river-rats is "there are only two kinds of river-rats or paddlers, those who swim and those who are about to!" Rafting can be a very dangerous outdoor activity and is usually done in very remote areas that can hinder rescue support. I would like to think all that was done for this lady was done in a professional and expidited maner by experienced people. My thoughts and prayers do go out to this ladies family, but I would like to say "when it is your time to go, it's time and where you are what you are doing doen't matter", so I can say that the lord couldn't picked a more beautiful and exciting place to take this beloved person home.
Posted by: annoymous on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:57 AM
While I've never rafted the Gauley, I have taken six trips down the New River and each time was always different due to water levels, temperature, gear I had to wear, as well as the guides years of experience. On at least three of these trips, our boat had tourists who had never been rafting and thought they were at a water park at Disneyland. What they didn't realize was that while rafting might appear to be a float down the river, it also is extremely dangerous. The physical requirements are also very high which may not be suited for those who are not in shape for that kind of workout in water that cold. The thrills can be many but it only takes one mistake to end what started out to be fun. This lady may have had a medical condition that put her at a higher risk for this kind of strenuous activity. It is sad when something tragic like this happens but rafting may not be an adventure that everyone is cut out for.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I witnessed the victim right after they beached the raft and I can say that the guides of both her tour company and our tour company, who assisted with CPR and first aid, did an very proffesional job of remaining calm, administrating CPR for over an hour while continuing to make sure the rest of the customers remained calm and safe. The guides are very well trained and worked as a team to make sure she was getting the best possible help given the area we were in. All those guides deserve to be praised for the outstanding effort they all made. WVA offers some of the most beautiful sites in the USA. We are all aware of the dangers some of these sports entail and I think people who want to raft and experience this beauty and rush should do it. . .anything can happen at anytime. With the manner that I saw the guides handle this very unfortunate accident I feel very comfortable running the river with them. My prayers go out the family and the friends.
Posted by: Reader on Oct 4, 2008 at 10:28 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the lady's family and friends. May God rest her soul.
Posted by: sad on Oct 4, 2008 at 01:07 PM
i hate it when tourists die while visiting our state. i know it was no one's fault, but i guess i still feel like it sends a bad message to future tourists. my thoughts and prayers are with the woman's family.
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