Two Kayakers Die after Going over Dam in Yuba County

http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-two-kayakers-die-after-going-over-dam-in-yuba-county-20110619,0,1698665.story

Kristin Hanes FOX40 News

7:57 p.m. PDT, June 19, 2011
YUBA COUNTY—

A man and his stepson died after both their kayaks went over the Daguerra Point Dam.

The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department says 43-year-old Lee Mattice III and 17-year-old Tyler Minton were part of a group of five kayakers on the Yuba River. Apparently, Minton got ahead of the group and went over the dam. Mattice waded in the water, trying to save Minton, and also went over the damn.

Two fishermen were able to pull Mattice from the water and take him to shore where they met emergency crews, but he died. Minton was found downriver from the dam. He died at Rideout Hospital.

The Daguerra Point Dam is 24 feet high.

so many deaths this year... its a reality check... thanks for the post, there can never be enough safety out there... -.-

That sucks. Be careful out there people.

-FF

Sad news.
Big flows this year; more caution than usual advised though you can never be safety conscious enough.

Sad story, RIP.

Sad news indeed.
I am interested to know whether or not they were wearing PFDs.

very sad news. 
Tote: I doubt a PFD would have done much good, Daguerra is a low head dam with really bad reverse hydraulics.

I am interested to know whether or not they were wearing PFDs.

Me too.  I will ask some of the Yuba River dudes next time I see them.

don't no what to say so sad we gotta be safe out there

Flows are way up Sad but they shouldn't have been there
Pic on link
 http://fishwithjd.com/fishing-reports/nor-cal-rivers/yuba-river/

Hate to hear news like that. Very sad.. That water is nasty.

Minton's solo kayak was left behind, where several hours later it was still stuck in the hydrowash in the center of the river at the top of the dam.

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/water-107722-yuba-river.html

Sad situation but these so called "kayakers" had no skills, no experience, no clue... stupid gives this sport a bad name. 

Thanks for the report, sad news indeed.  I don't think a pfd would've saved them either.. washing machine effect. 

Flows are way up Sad but they shouldn't have been there
Pic on link
 http://fishwithjd.com/fishing-reports/nor-cal-rivers/yuba-river/

WTH was the downstream takeout???  If it was even remotely close to the drop, that's just retarded.

The article says the dam face is 24 feet high.  Even though its difficult to grasp a sense of scale from the pic, the river looks like its raging!  At eye level before the fall, you can't even see the drop (maybe can hear it).  Were there any signs?  Any screens?  Some kind of deterrent or warning?  As careless as the victims may have been, I bet the family is investigating the liabilities.  And they should, repeat occurrence needs to be avoided.  If the victims were on rentals and were with a guide, that rental service needs to report this to E & O carrier and lawyer up. 

just terrible

Sad situation but these so called "kayakers" had no skills, no experience, no clue... stupid gives this sport a bad name.

Damn dude those are harsh words for the dead. Have you ever been there yourself? It's actually not a very technical section of the river most years except for the dam which is an obvious portage.

With flows as high as they are I bet they didn't see the dam until it was too late. Sucks for them and their families. Easy to be an armchair quarterback but maybe you should have a little compassion for those involved.


-Eliot