River tragedy for kayaker

[stevet]

Here’s one river tragedy I have never heard of….and hope never again to…

Tasmania: Kayaker's leg amputated in river after 20-hour rescue

Medics made the "life or death" decision with the tourist after multiple attempts to free him from rapids failed.

www.bbc.com

I know it’s a kayaker and not technically canoe tripping, but just a cautionary tale about being out in the wilderness.

 

[Mason]

In a similar vein, I had a kayaker surgeon that got pinned in a river either in S.A. or Africa. Her partners broke her leg in pulling her out of the cockpit as she was aspirating water. I had to wait for her recovery for my diagnosis and surgery (I had fractured C7 in my neck, and had a diskectomy and spinal fusion--she did a great job!).