Accident Database: Recent Accidents
Public Submissions (Initial reports not yet confirmed by AW Safety Committee)
Accidents Since 1973
Accident Database
20 Completed Safety Reports Found
| State/Country | Date | Name/Age | River/Section | Flow/Class | Boat/Cause | Factor/Injury | Type/Private | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR United States | 2026-01-20 | Gregory Dale Gipson 66 | McKenzie River | II |
Whitewater Kayak- |
/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| CA United States | 2026-01-03 | Ryan Stephenson 36 | Middle Fork Smith River Patrick Creek Run | Medium III |
Whitewater Kayak- Pinned in Boat against Rock or Sieve |
Inexperience/ | Injury Private | Read More |
| WA United States | 2025-12-12 | Unidentified Man | Ballard Locks | High N/A |
Kayak - Other- Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic |
Cold Water/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| Zambia | 2025-11-13 | Lawrence Patrick Firman 68 | Zambezi River | N/A |
Whitewater Kayak- Health Problem |
Other/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| ID United States | 2025-11-10 | Judy O'Brien 75 | Salmon River | N/A |
Other- PFD Not Worn or Present |
One Boat Trip/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| PA United States | 2025-11-08 | Unidentified Man | Schulkill River | Low I |
Kayak - Other- Swim into Strainer |
Inexperience/ Head Injury / Concussion | Injury Private | Read More |
| TN United States | 2025-09-28 | Deborah Webb | Ocoee River Middle Ocoee | Medium III+ |
Whitewater Kayak- Impact/Trauma |
Other/ Head Injury / Concussion | Injury Private | Read More |
| TN United States | 2025-09-13 | Mike Dupre 58 | Ocoee Lower | High III+ |
Kayak - Other- Other |
High Water/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| TX United States | 2025-09-13 | Bernardo Pena | San Marcos (2. San Marcos City Park to Westerfield Crossing 2. San Marcos City Park to Westerfield Crossing (5.5 miles) | N/A |
Other- |
/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| WV United States | 2025-09-06 | Patrick Miljour 53 | Gauley 7 Summersville Dam to Woods Ferry | V |
Whitewater Kayak- Health Problem |
Other/ Other | Fatal Private | Read More |
| ID United States | 2025-08-31 | Carolyn Beck 45 | Kuna Creek | II |
Other- PFD Not Worn or Present |
Other/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| OR United States | 2025-08-31 | Luke Poulin 67 | Willamette 2. Alton Baker Park to Peoria Boat Landing | N/A |
Other- Pinned in Boat Against Strainer |
/ | Injury Private | Read More |
| KY United States | 2025-08-31 | Unidentified Man | Cumberland River | N/A |
Kayak - Other- Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic |
Other/ Near Drowning | Injury Private | Read More |
| NC United States | 2025-08-29 | Unidentified Man 50 | Nantahala 3. Power Plant to Wesser | III+ |
Inflatable Kayak- Health Problem |
Other/ Heart Attack / Heart Failure | Fatal Commericial | Read More |
| TN United States | 2025-08-23 | Unidentified Man 70 | Ocoee River Middle | III+ |
Raft- Flush Drowning |
Other/ Heart Attack / Heart Failure | Fatal Commericial | Read More |
| OR United States | 2025-08-19 | Greg Gipson 66 | McKenzie 3. Olallie Campground to Paradise Campground | N/A |
Whitewater Kayak- |
/ | Injury Private | Read More |
| PA United States | 2025-08-17 | Scott Ferrari -Iksic 45 | Youghiogheny Lower | Low III |
Raft- Other |
Extreme Weather/ | Injury Private | Read More |
| OK United States | 2025-08-16 | Jawaun Jordan 16 | Arkansas River | N/A |
Inflatable Kayak- PFD Not Worn or Present |
Inadequate Equipment/ | Fatal Private | Read More |
| WV United States | 2025-08-07 | Bonnie J. Brady 61 | Tygart Valley 5. Above Arden to Big Cove Run | IV+ |
Open Canoe- PFD Not Worn or Present |
One Boat Trip/ Near Drowning | Injury Private | Read More |
| CO United States | 2025-08-04 | Two unknown males, probably 20-30 years old | South Platte Waterton Canyon | Medium III+ |
Other- Other |
Poor Planning/ Physical Trauma | Injury Private | Read More |
