Recent reports indicate a kayaker by the name of James Robinson, who was on a paddling trip down Clear Creek in Colorado had to be emergency evaced after a horrific accident.



photo by Nikki Kelly

According to reports James and his paddling group for the day were solid boaters from a club in Arkansas.

After taking a huge hit to the head he was resuscitated by his fellow paddlers on the side of Clear Creek in Colorado.

Here is a personal account of the accident from someone who was on scene.

I spoke to one of the members of their group and he invited me to join. Unfortunately, I had just had a large lunch and wasn’t up for boating at that time. I had just ran this section with two locals last night and was fairly familiar with the lines. I offered beta and two out of the 4 in their group began their run. One of their group set a rope at Mr. Bill. The fourth member of their group had already taken out and undressed.

The gentleman in question came down first and eddied out above Mr. Bill. The second boater came down with a smooth line and caught the eddy as well. Boater 2 decided to walk the hole while the victim ran the extreme right side. When he went into the second hole, he ran the meatier right side which stalled him. By this time, his friend was in his boat.

The victim continued down river for approx 50 yards and attempted to catch and eddy on river right. He bumped a rock and begins to flip and make roll attempts. I yelled to his friend that he was in trouble. He proceeded down river after him. The rope holder had begun his ascent out of the gorge and I yelled to him as well.

As I looked downstream, I noticed the victim was attempting rolls, many more than most would before swimming. He literally rolled for 200 yards down the gorge, turning back over each time while being pushed into one hole after another.

By this time, I had made it to the top of the road and ran down where I could get a look. I noticed he was limp, heads down, and still in his boat. I began to run downriver but decided to run back to my car and get a pfd and helmet as I was in civilian clothes. I returned to the car, grabbed my pfd out of the back and quickly put it on.

I drove 3-400 yards downstream and jumped out, grabbing my helmet and throwrope. I made my descent down the side of the gorge and into the water’s edge. By this time, the rope holder and the other boater were dragging him to shore.

When he came to shore, his head was still in the water. We did a quick check for vitals and found no breathing or pulse. When I initially pulled his head out of the water and opened his airway, I noticed a short (very short) gasp.

Gear was immediately cut and removed. Rescue breathing and chest compressions were started while the other boater assisted getting him out of the boat. As I recall, it took about two rounds of compressions and about 6 rescue breaths before he made a heavy gasp and began to breathe on his own.

By this time other boaters were coming down river and we signaled for them to call 911. His breathing eventually became heavier and gurgling. We tried to get him to cough or puke up the water to no avail. He was completely unconscious during this entire time. After several minutes elapsed, his color began to return but his eyes were glossy and rolled back.

A local fire department training in swiftwater just down the gorge was the first to respond. The victim became somewhat conscious, screaming in pain, fighting, and rambling incoherently and exclaiming that he couldnt see.

The local fire dept. helped stabilize until we could get a backboard and stokes basket in place. Local fire set up a 2:1 or a variation and helped pull him out of the gorge. A chopper was called and I’m not sure where he landed...or when he took off.

Area search and rescue teams arrived on scene and airlifted James to a Denver Hospital where he has now recovered.

Some of his gear was lost and some of it was cut off during the rescue and resuscitation.

Many manufacturers including Skirtworks, Stohlquist, ShredReady, and Werner Paddles have jumped in and offered to help James replace some of his lost and/or damaged gear.

As one can imagine remote river side emergency extractions are quite pricing and his paddling family in Arkansas are now raising money to help pay for some medical and equipment expenses incurred during the rescue.

It is amazing the way the kayaking community always rallies when a boater is in trouble.

Friends and family commented that it is great to hear that James survived the terrifying experience and wish him a speedy recovery. 

Check out the Rapid Forum and Community area for more discussion about the river.