A Maryland woman has drowned after a weekend rafting accident on the New River Gorge National River.
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. -- A Maryland woman has drowned after a weekend rafting accident on the New River Gorge National River.
The National Park Service said Sunday in a release that Judy Brown of Cumberland, Md., was among those who fell overboard from an Alpine Adventures raft as it overturned in the Upper Railroad Rapid about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Chief Ranger Jeff West says Brown became entrapped at an area known as Detroit Rock, close to the center of the river. At some point, Brown's life vest came off, but it's unclear whether it was before or after she became entrapped. She later was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The National Park Service River Patrol arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. West says witness statements indicate that Brown was underwater about 30 minutes before lifesaving efforts could be started.
The National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources are investigating the accident.
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. -- A Maryland woman has drowned after a weekend rafting accident on the New River Gorge National River.
The National Park Service said Sunday in a release that Judy Brown of Cumberland, Md., was among those who fell overboard from an Alpine Adventures raft as it overturned in the Upper Railroad Rapid about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Chief Ranger Jeff West says Brown became entrapped at an area known as Detroit Rock, close to the center of the river. At some point, Brown's life vest came off, but it's unclear whether it was before or after she became entrapped. She later was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The National Park Service River Patrol arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. West says witness statements indicate that Brown was underwater about 30 minutes before lifesaving efforts could be started.
The National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources are investigating the accident.
