On 8-1-10, at 1544 hours, a Trooper from Girdwood contacted a rafting party of nine people near mile 58 Seward Highway, Six Mile Creek, as they appeared to be ill-prepared for the class IV whitewater they were about to experience in the canyon. The private party decided to continue their trip down river where they immediately rammed the rock wall deflating half their raft.  The raft entered the canyon where the Trooper had staged with Chugach Outdoor Center (COC), and witnessed the raft flip upside down, ejecting their occupants. The subjects were wearing poor quality life preservers, with t-shirts and shorts.  No helmets or dry suits were utilized.  Chugach Outdoor Center, who happened to be operating in the area with clients, brought two subjects to shore minutes later then raced down stream in their rafts attempting to rescue the other subjects.  A span of 1.5 miles of river was needed for the entire rescue and in the end everyone was recovered.  Helo 3 was initially dispatched but later called off after everyone was located. The raft contained a 12 and 13 year old boy, five men, and two women. One of the women, 19 yoa person from out of state, was flown
via LifeMed  to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for a head injury.  The other subjects received minor injuries but denied medical treatment.
Girdwood                      