RedactedNarrative: This is a single vessel accident involving 1 person. Operator of the vessel was traveling down the cheoah river in graham county. This river has class 4 rapids when the dam releases water as it was on this day. Operator of the vessel had many years of paddling/kayaking experience on this type of water. However, this particular boat was brand new and he had never ridden it. He was also having health issues with bronchitis. 
  
  Operator of this vessel launched upstream about 3.5 miles. He met some people and had asked if it was okay to join their group. The group agreed and started down river. People in the group said he was doing fine with his paddling abilities and was having no problems. They would go through a few rapids and would gather back together. 
  
  At the time of the accident, the operator of this vessel was out of everyone's sight. He had drifted ahead of everyone in the party and told them he was going to the right side of the river because he was familiar with that side. The group found it strange that when he took off, he went to the opposite side as he had said. 
  
  A few minutes later the group found his vessel unattended. That is when they began to look for the operator. A search party was put together made up of fellow kayakers. They frantically looked both by boat and also by foot for the operator. 
  
  Approximate 1 hour later, the operator was located on the opposite side of the river about 25 yards up river from where his boat was recovered. He was face down in the water and still had his pfd and helmet on. He was attached to some brush at the side of the river but bystanders said that in no way was he trapped by the brush. 
  
  The people that found him immediately pulled him to the side of the bank and began cpr. They continued their efforts until ems arrived. They stated that when they began their efforts, brown water came from his mouth. The efforts of cpr were unsuccessful. The operator was pronounced dead at the scene by the graham county medical examiner and the cause of death was drowning. There was no trauma to the victim. 
  
  It is in my opinion that this operator at some time during his traveling down the river became entrapped under his vessel in the class 4 rapids for an extended period of time. He still had his kayak spray skirt attached to him when he was found.he had never ridden in this vessel and was unfamiliar with it. He had also complained to the group that his outfitting (seat and leg bracing) was not set up properly for him. 
  
  There were no witnesses to this accident. There was no indication of alcohol or drug use by the operator. No further investigation is needed for this accident.