On 06/18/2023 at approximately 1655 hours this officer, NRPO, responded to a complaint on the Greenbrier River in Summers County in reference to an individual who had fallen out of their kayak and was unresponsive. Upon arrival on scene, this officer observed Summers County EMS on scene along with other first responders in which the unresponsive individual (male) had already been removed from the water, secured to a back board and was being carried up the hill until being placed onto a cot from Summers EMS. During this time, CPR was being administered and had been administered since the first bystander was able to make contact with the individual. The subject was placed into the ambulance where further life-saving measures would take place. 

While EMS was working on the patient, this officer made contact with witnesses to the incident along with the male subject's wife who was floating the river with him on a separate kayak. While speaking to the wife, she identified the male to be her husband. 

Wife also provided this officer with what she was aware of what happened in which she stated that they were floating the river from Doc Fox Road to Willowwood Public Access and during the portion of the float they had completed, Victim had been struggling to get through shallow water on multiple occasions because his boat kept dragging on the bottom of the river. 

She further stated that she was ahead of him in the river and had seen him struggling to get through the water, it then appeared he had made it through and after turning around again she seen the boat floating down the river toward her without him on it and she could see him in the water not moving. 

Wife then advised she went to him as fast as she could and yelled for help at some bystanders on the bank in which they were able to make it to Victim who was face down in the water and initiated CPR. Once first responders arrived on scene, they took over CPR and secured Victim until being placed into the ambulance. 

Upon further speaking with Wife she provided this officer with medical history of Victim which included but was not limited to Hypertension, Type II Diabetes, Coronary Artery Disease, Cardiac Stents, Previous Heart Attacks and Angina. Wife further stated that they had already taken a break after Victim struggled to get through the shallow areas because he was having chest pains, but they subsided, and they continued on. 

This officer also spoke with additional witnesses, which provided this officer with a short statement which summarized to them hearing the call for help and immediately going into the water to help the victim. They initiated CPR and done everything they could but at no point ever seen any sign of movement or life from Victim. 

After approximately 20-30 minutes of life saving measures inside of the ambulance with no sign of life, Summers EMS made contact with the Medical Examiners Officer and the victim was pronounced deceased at 1731 hours by Dr.  from Raleigh General Hospital in Raleigh County. 
EMS transported the victim to Summers County ARH to meet the Medical Examiner and the scene was cleared at approximately 1820 hours. This officer met with the Medical Examiner at Summers County ARH and was advised an autopsy would be done to determine the cause of death.

Victim had a PFD in possession, but was not wearing it.  Cause of death was Cardiac Arrest.
Greenbrier River
Forest Hill                   