ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2010 AT ABOUT 12:30PM two subjects WERE KAYAKING DOWN THE SOUTH FORK RIVER IN GASTON COUNTY.  one operator STATED THAT THE WATER HAD A VERY SWIFT CURRENT WHICH CAUSED BOTH OF THE KAYAKS TO CAPSIZE.  the two operators WERE SEPARATED BY ABOUT 40 FEET.  one operator WAS ABLE TO PULL HIMSELF FROM THE WATER AND CALL FOR HELP.  surviving operator STATED THAT deceased WAS HOLDING ON TO A TREE AND MADE IT OUT OF THE WATER UNTIL THE LIMB HE WAS STANDING ON BROKE.  deceased HELD ON TO THE TREE UNTIL HE SUCCUMED TO THE ELEMENTS AND SLIPPED BACK INTO THE WATER AND DROWNED.  THE KAYAKS WERE NOT RECOVERED DURING THE RESCUE.
MCADENVILLE                   