The vessel was rafting downstream on the Vermilion River.  The occupants were unfamiliar with the river and did not see the warning signs for the dam or low head dam warning signs.  They attempted to paddle to bypass the dam but were unsuccessful.  The raft went over the dam sideways.  The operator was able to rescue himself but the occupants wre caught in the boil.  The operator saw his wife emerge from the boil first, pulled her to shore and began cpr.  The other two victims emerged and bystanders began cpr on them both.  The operator stated that none of the occupants could swim and that everyone had on a pfd at the time of the accident.  All victims were transported to the hospital and admitted for treatment.  All survived the incident.  It was learned from other witnesses that the sign directly over the dam was in in its proper position; however, a sign located further upstream of the dam warning of the dam was not up.  The cable that held the sign up appeared to be down.
Oglesby                       