Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 01-25-2015 at about 9:45 am the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, received a 9-1-1 call regarding a Kayak accident that had just occurred underneath the McCann Bridge on the Eel River. A female Kayaker was trapped underneath the water in her Kayak next to a pilling on the McCann Bridge. 

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue along with the Fruitland Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Eel River Valley Rescue and Cal Fire immediately responded to the incident. When rescue units arrived on scene tragically they were too late to save the female victim from drowning. 

Before the accident a group of 24 people were on the Eel River in Canoes and Kayaks for the day. The female victim was in a Kayak with another male subject. When they tried to go underneath the McCann Bridge their Kayak flipped over because of the swift water next to the bridge pilling. The male subject was able to escape the Kayak, but the female victim was stuck in the Kayak. Due to the swift water next to the bridge piling the friends of the victim were unable to rescue her. 

The victim parents were notified of the tragic accidents, which both live out of state by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office. The victim has been identified as Samantha Dweck age 24 from Carlisle, Massachusetts.

Note: Photo from here.

Previously: Kayaker Drowns Beneath McCann Bridge This Morning