chicoer.com
Wednesday, August 01, 2001
News
Recovery efforts for river rafter called off
By KATHY BURNS - MediaNews Group
OROVILLE - Raging currents have made it impossible for Butte County rescue workers to
recover the body of whitewater rafter Adam Bodine, trapped beneath eight feet of
water in the Feather River.
Bodine, 34, of Chico, drowned Sunday evening during a whitewater trip along the
Middle Fork of the Feather River near Milsap Bar.
That particular stretch is known by experienced rafters as one of the best wild-water
runs in the state. But the same waters that beckon adventurous rafters have made it
impossible to get to Bodine's body.
Sgt. Dave Panchesson of the Butte County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that the
recovery has been called off.
"We've done everything possible," said Panchesson. "There is nothing left to try."
Panchesson, along with 42 others, including 14 high-tech divers from all over the north
state, worked in shifts for more than 10 hours in the cold waters Monday before the
decision to stop recovery efforts was made.
Panchesson said the torrents make it impossible to get to Bodine because he's trapped
beneath an eddy 10 feet high and six feet wide. It juts up against a large boulder with
a pool that downdrafts to a large funnel at the bottom. Numerous measures and rescue
techniques were deployed.
The accident occurred near the bottom of the Bald Rock Dome Trail in an extremely
remote area where Bodine and his friends, 14 experienced rafters, had been enjoying a
two-day float trip.
Fellow rafter Ralph Cutter of Truckee said the group had just traveled over some
waterfalls about 15 to 20 feet high and were getting ready to come out of the water
when Bodine ran into trouble.
Cutter said Bodine fell from his raft and was sucked down by the current into a deep
hole beneath a large rock. Cutter said it all happened in a split second.
Bodine's companions immediately tried to rescue him. Several tossed backpacks and
rope lines into the water, hoping Bodine would grab onto one of them. Diving down to
get him was all but impossible because of the current.
"He was eight feet underwater with a raging torrent slamming into their heads," said
Panchesson. "It was an ugly situation."
"They all knew what they were doing and they did everything right," said Panchesson.
"It was one of those freak accidents that just shouldn't have happened."
Following at least three futile attempts to rescue Bodine, a few members of the group
began the 2-1/2 hour hike up the Dome trail to report the emergency.
By the time rescue workers arrived, Bodine had been in the water for four hours. Based
on that and the approaching darkness and dangers of the area, rescuers decided to
resume the search on Monday.
At 6:30 a.m. Monday, more than 42 people gathered to attempt the recovery. Assisted
by helicopters from the sheriff's office and the highway patrol, the crew worked for 10
hours.
Panchesson said while the effort has been called off for now, recovery could be
attempted at a later time when the river waters have receded.
He said the operation was a team effort with support from dozens of search and rescue
and safety agencies. Panchesson was assisted by Search and Rescue Lt. Brandon
Harris and CDF Fire Captain Mike Carr as incident commanders.
Kathy Burns is a reporter for the Oroville Mercury-Register. |
