Can You Believe This? Stupid People!

[crp]

Kayaker dies in frigid river
4/17/2006, 9:18 a.m. ET
The Associated Press


SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Â A 42-year-old man drowned in the Seneca River after flipping his kayak in the frigid water, authorities said.

Rescue divers recovered the body of James Fitzgibbons, of Baldwinsville, about 8:20 p.m. Sunday, following a two-hour search, according to deputies with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department. He was not wearing a life vest.

A person living along the shoreline called authorities just before 6 p.m. after hearing a commotion and seeing the overturned kayak in the water. Two shoreline residents attempted to save Fitzgibbons but were unsuccessful.

Sheriff Kevin Walsh said witnesses saw Fitzgibbons trying to stand up in his kayak when it flipped.

The river is only 12 to 15 feet deep at the spot of the accident in Van Buren, 10 miles northwest of Syracuse, but about 175 yards wide. The water temperature was about 40 degrees, Walsh said.

 

[ReeferMac]

Sad, especially for the folks that knew him, but I always considered that Darwin in action.

- Mac

 

[dalbrecht]

An important safety issue with kayaks is being trained to right yourself without panic

 

[crp]

I think a more important safety issue would be WEAR A LIFE JACKET!

He probably would have been alright if he didn't try to stand up. He fell out of the kayak not just tip over and then couldn't swim to shore. Not sure why he didn't hold onto the kayak til someone got there though.


Sunday, April 16, 2006 Post Standard

Dive teams find body of drowned kayaker

Rescue crews have recovered the body of a kayaker who fell from his boat in the Seneca River in Van Buren and drowned today. James Fitzgibbons, 42, capsized and went into the water about 5:45 p.m. He tried to swim to shore but went under a short time later.

Several residents of Seneca Avenue called 911 and attempted to rescue the man but were unsuccessful.

The body was recovered about 8:20 p.m.

Staff writer Pam Greene and staff photographer Gary Walts were at the scene and will have a full report Monday in The Post-Standard.

 

[sailfinreef]

thats the kind of stuff that keeps stupid people from overtaking the world. however I do feel bad for the guy, who wants to die doing something like that.

 

[Guy]

I've never seen anyone try to stand in their kayak.

 

[sailfinreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7194067#post7194067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Guy
I've never seen anyone try to stand in their kayak.

thats why, youll fall in.

 

[dderue]

At least he died doing something he enjoyed. That's How I want to go. Sure beets laying in a hospital bed for years as a vegie.

 

[SVXH6]

something he enjoyed?? if this is the case he should be knowledgeable enough to know to wear a life vest, not to stand up and how not to panic in a flip.. makes you wonder why this happened..

 

[Guy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7195671#post7195671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dderue
At least he died doing something he enjoyed. That's How I want to go. Sure beets laying in a hospital bed for years as a vegie.

I'd rather be shot by a 22 year old jealous husband.

 

[Kent E]

I think its sad. Somebody, lost somebody today.

 

[Hound]

I agree Kent it is really sad someone(s) is in alot of pain right now and will be for a long time... ...... regardless of darwin or stupidity people make mistakes...None of us know when or how we are going to go...... I really feel for the family everytime I hear about something like this.

 

[sailfinreef]

guy, thats funny