Plumas Search and Rescue (SAR) assisted in a tragic accident that claimed the life of a kayaker on Friday, October 4th, on the South Fork Feather River, just downstream of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir dam. Plumas SAR teams were immediately dispatched following the report of the fatality but faced significant challenges due to the remote and inaccessible location.
The accident site, unreachable by foot, required aerial support for SAR operations. Initially, a helicopter crew was called in to assist with the mission; however, the crew had to divert to another emergency, delaying the recovery effort. On Friday night, in coordination with local authorities, the water flow from the dam was restricted to aid the rescue teams.
By Saturday morning, October 5th, SAR units met with a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter from the Northern Division Air Operations at the dam. Two SAR team members were flown to the site and hoisted down to retrieve the victim’s body.
Witnesses to the accident reported that the unidentified kayaker’s spray skirt became caught on a submerged branch during an attempted “wet exit” — a common maneuver to escape the kayak in turbulent water. The skirt twisted around the victim’s ankle, preventing him from breaking free amidst the fast-moving whitewater.
The incident highlights the dangers that even experienced kayakers face on rivers with strong currents and hidden underwater hazards.
Image: Still of hoist rescue shared via facebook by Plumas SAR
