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Accident Database: Accident #196

River: Ocoee
Section: Middle Ocoee - #2 Dam to #2 Powerhouse
Location: Grumpy Hole
Water Level: Medium
Difficulty: IV-
Accident Code(s): L.S. on a Comm. Trip
Injury Code(s): Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal
Age: 70
Experienced/Inexperienced: Inexperienced
Private/Commercial: Commercial
Boat Type: Raft
Number of Occupants: 6
Number of Victims: 1
Detailed Description:

RAFTING GUEST KILLED ON THE OCOEE

 

Near Ducktown, Tennessee : July 29, 1994

 

 

DESCRIPTION: The Ocoee is a delightful class III+ dam-release play stream which sees a lot of commercial traffic. The victim, Harold McAlister, 70, had been down the river before. He had just launched on a late afternoon guided trip on July 29th when his raft hit Grumpy Hole and everyone fell out. The other guests were recovered with throw ropes, but Mr. McAlister floated face down 150 yards to the eddy below Whirlybird where he was pulled into a raft. Resuscitation efforts began immediately, but were not successful.

 

 

SOURCE: Lance Crawford, Ocoee River Ranger; NORS Currents

 

 

Conclusions:

 

ANALYSIS: It's not clear to me why such a short swim caused this fatality but it does happen from time to time on commercial trips.

Report Status: Completed