RedactedNarrative: On August 16 at approximately 1600, vessel 1 (a kayak) struck a fixed object in the yadkin river causing the vessel to overturn and the death of the operator.
  
  Vessel 1 departed from shoals yadkin river access traveling east downriver. There were two other kayaks paddling with the operator. Vessel 1 traveled just over a mile and struck some rocks causing the vessel to capsize. The operator was separated from the vessel due to hazardous water current and operator inexperience. 
  
  One of the companions retrieved vessel 1 which was overturned and full of water. The other companion departed his vessel to get the victim into his kayak. The victim was unable to board the companion''s kayak and the two were separated while going through rapids. Victim was able to grab on to a tree limb near the bank and was rescued from the limb approximately 2 ½ hours later by county rescue squad. Victim was transported to the hospital where she later died the next day.
  
  The river was at approximately 10 feet over normal gauge height and reported to be at flood stage earlier that day. Companion paddlers reported that this was the victims first time in a kayak, the victim had stated that she could swim and had a pfd but was not wearing it. Victim was also reported to have been sitting with legs hanging over the sides of a sit-in kayak. 
  
  Rescue squad reported that the victim did say a couple of words when rescued from the tree limb but became unresponsive within minutes of being taken out of the water. Signs of near drowning, hypothermia, and shock were reported by rescue workers. It was later reported by companions that the victim had possibly sustained a stroke sometime during the incident and that was the cause of death. 
  
  The probable cause of the incident was striking an object during near flood conditions with the factors of not wearing a pfd, operator inexperience and operator staying in the water for an extended period. Resulted in death to the victim due to near drowning and hypothermia. No alcohol or drugs were suspected as contributing factors.
  