Sad news by: Terry Munfrada   4/16/2009

I was not sure where to post this so I will start here and Dave can move it. Spring may be here, but the water is still very cold, BE AWARE AND BE CAREFUL.

Authorities fear drowning after canoe capsizes at Crawford State Park

By SAMANTHA STILES/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Authorities feared a Delta man drowned after a canoe capsized on the north side of the Crawford State Park reservoir on Wednesday afternoon, Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee said.

The second occupant of the canoe, Stacy Bjerk, 22, of Nucla, was found on the bank and was taken to Delta County Memorial Hospital.

At 6:30 p.m. the search for the man was called off because of “strong wind and blowing snow,” McKee said.

The Crawford and Hotchkiss fire departments, state park rangers and the Delta County Sheriff’s Department used rafts and boats during the search.

“We have to presume the worst,” McKee said, because of how long the man had been in frigid water.

The Sheriff’s Department did not release the man’s name. The search will resume this morning.

The 400-acre reservoir is a popular destination for boating and fishing.

Member comments

by: deadhead on 4/16/2009 8:40:24 AM
oh, man. This is a sad and painful reminder of that which we all know, but oftem times take lightly. As we all know, wearing a PFD is optional for adults in the boat, as long as there is one avaialble, according to state law. However, as is demonstrated by this story, when you do in fact NEED it, it is often times too late to find it and put it on. Most of the time while in a stable boat such as a deep v, I find myself not wearing one, but often times I question my logic on that issue. I do think that while it is not law, it is sound practice to always be WEARING your PFD while in smaller boats like canoes, personal pontoons, and belly boats. Also if there is any kind of weather, and the possibility of your boat taking on any amount of water, extra precautions should be taken as well. This is a sad reminder, and I wish you all a safe, and secure boating season, and sincerely hope this is the last we hear of such a thing this year.... DAve

 

by: Wonkeyeyed on 4/16/2009 12:40:00 PM
It tugs at my heart when I hear news like this. I lost not one but two fishing buddies their kin to Edna the Eskimo and we grew up together as kids. The drowned at Harlan County Reservoir in Nebraska. They were brothers. Sure do miss them fellas. - Wonk

 

by: Pilotfly on 4/17/2009 9:35:01 AM
Sorry to hear about this. I find it a bit strange that anyone would be out in a canoe (or small typically unstable watercraft) in any kind of high wind situation, which was the case that particular day. I have both a pontoon and a float tube, neither of which I ever venture out with, without taking my PFD. I will be the first to admit that there have been days when I didn't wear the PFD but I did have it with me. In any kind of wind however, I would certainly stop whatever I was doing and put it on. I guess a lesson learned the hard way. Unfortunate results, but hopefully this will be a lesson for us all.