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GREAT MIAMI RIVER RESCUE

Boater rescued after canoe flips

Reily Twp. man clung to craft after it overturned along river, but ultimately had to let it go to save his life.

Greg Dean, of Reiley Twp. is helped to safety by Deputy Mike Farthing of the Butler County Marine Rescue after Dean's canoe tipped over, throwing him into Fourmile Creek.

Photo by Greg Lynch Greg Dean, of Reiley Twp. is helped to safety by Deputy Mike Farthing of the Butler County Marine Rescue after Dean's canoe tipped over, throwing him into Fourmile Creek.

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SEVEN MILE — A Reily Twp. man has new respect for the Great Miami River after his canoe capsized in high, turgid waters.

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The actual incident happened on 7 Mile Creek and ended at the point just after 7 Mile and 4 Mile join. This then empties into the Great Miami at B St extention, Hamilton. Ive kayaked this section of the creek when it was more of a walk than a paddle. I would NEVER go alone when the water was up like it was. However, with a group and a little scouting, in higher water there are one or two good little play spots. Class II+ at the most. Strainers would be the problem in higher water.

Martin
10:48 PM, 5/24/2009

So where did this happen? I see at least three waterways mentioned. Great Miami, Four Mile and Seven Mile. Of the three, the Great Miami is probably the least dangerous since it's wide and reasonably free of tight turns and unavoidable strainers. I wouldn't recommend any of these, however, at these levels. If anyone wants to know what river levels are and whether or not conditions are safe, they can go to "AWA Riverselect".

Timothy Kling
7:15 AM, 5/16/2009

As the only livery operator on thiss ection of the Great Miami we have set a limit of 5500cfs to be out on the river. No one needs to be out the above this limit. Next time check the usgs gage in Hamilton before you leave your on your trip and ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! wear a life vest. If you're still not sure about river conditions call me, seriously. I will be more then happy to give you some trip advice. You were running the river when it was 4X a safe operating level.

Misty
9:48 PM, 5/15/2009

great job butler county sherriff's ,st clair twp firefighters ,another one saved. always use PPE {personal protective equiptment},even if you think your better than that ,just ask the ones who survived the river !!

tony
8:11 PM, 5/15/2009

I dont know why people think that they can brave the river, my guess is they never watch the news or read a paper, The river is dangerous w/ undercurrents and dropoffs. It never fails every year when it starts to get warm someone always thinks they can handle it and next thing ya know they end up another statistic found down river days later. BE SAFE NOT STUPID!! Have the sence to eqip. the right safety gear and it wouldnt hurt to wait for the water to be a bit warmer!! DUH

Becky
7:15 PM, 5/15/2009

GOOD JOB BY DEPUTY FARTHING!! THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR FOR THIS KIND OF THING HAPPEN. THE WATER IS STILL COLD ENOUGH TO GIVE A PERSON IN THE WATER HYPOTHERMIA WITHIN MINUTES. THIS BOATER IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND THANKFUL, I'M SURE, TO THE QUICK RESPONSE OF DEPUTY FARTHING. INEXPERIENCE ON MOVING WATER IS A KILLER. ANYTIME YOU ARE NEAR OR ON THE WATER YOU SHOULD HAVE A PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE ON AND SECURED, ESPECIALLY ON THE WATER.

MIKE
4:23 PM, 5/15/2009

Anyone on the river after the rains and how high it was.I'd have left him there on the sandbar.
Maybe he'd learn from that.

Jack
4:22 PM, 5/15/2009

oops!..........I made a mistake in my grammar. Now what am I H2O?

southwood
3:12 PM, 5/15/2009

H2O........sounds as if your scholar. And with that scholarly opinion comes the usual bad attitude with a hint of arrrogance. The man made a mistake, get over it. Perhaps you were teated to long in your adolescence. All the while leaving you with a one-sided approach to matters which allow compassion.

southwood
3:09 PM, 5/15/2009

Compassion?? I have none for someone that goes out in a boat with no life jacket! He needed this scare, believe me. We had a place on the Geat Miami River and it is nothing to mess with. The channels in a river will pull you downstream so fast and also drag you under. He should consider himself a very lucky man.

LSZ53
2:38 PM, 5/15/2009

Yet we pry another outstanding speciman from Darwin's grasp. Hope he doesn't take anybody else with him when he pulls his next brilliant stunt. Let's hope he hasn't reproduced.

MarkSpitz
1:11 PM, 5/15/2009

H2O your an idiot!!! Show some compassion for people.

Parker
12:58 PM, 5/15/2009

Thank God the man is safe and alive. Hopefully he and the rest of us learn a valuable lesson from this. It is usually unwise to go boating after a storm has passed through. The river is a lot higher and the current is much faster. The thrill of it is very tempting. However, the additional debris from these storms makes this a lot more dangerous. Hopefully, he will not be cited for this. He was just out having some fun and gladly it did not cost him his life.

Lloyd
12:11 PM, 5/15/2009

People's lack of compassion never seems to amaze me! We've all made choices or done things, and then thought "Why, Did I Do That!"

Greg Dean, I don't know you, but I sure am happy your safe.

I applaud the rescue teams who, everyday put their lives on the line, to assist those who need it, and to the "Passer By" who made that call for help!

Kathy
10:12 AM, 5/15/2009

Here was a fine example of "Darwinism" at work and yet again we intervene and screw it up..............

Roscoe2U
9:03 AM, 5/15/2009

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. This idiot is evidence of Darwinian Theory. If he had taken his dog, the dog would have had enough sense not to go out on the river. Sorry Captain Smith...no compassion here.

H2O
8:56 AM, 5/15/2009

so.. did he get his canoe back?

hrhrhen
8:21 AM, 5/15/2009

How about a little compassion, huh, folks?

I'm glad he didn't go down with the ship!

Captain Smith
8:13 AM, 5/15/2009

Why are people so stupid? It rained all morning and the river was obviously high and running fast, did this knuckle-head think he was stronger than the tons of water charging down stream? He should be charged with the efforts to save his life and for being an idiot!

robin
8:04 AM, 5/15/2009

He was very lucky he escaped with his life . Obviously little or no boating experience with no float plan , no life jacket , alone, high water conditions in a canoe .

Bobby
8:03 AM, 5/15/2009

I agree mary.

Erin
7:38 AM, 5/15/2009

What kind of idiot would go near the river after the torrential rains we had today? They ought to charge him for the rescue effort.

mARY
8:29 PM, 5/14/2009

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