Hopwood man dies in Ohiopyle kayaking accident
A 19-year-old man drowned Saturday while kayaking in the rapid waters of the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park. Douglas V. Hoehn, operations manager of the park, said Matthew E. Painley, 19, of Hopwood was pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m.
Hoehn said fishermen discovered Painley floating in the water, yelling for help, around 12:30 p.m., about three miles below the bottom part of the entrance to the rapids. Crews in a helicopter later spotted the victim downstream.
Painley was pronunced dead at 2:50 p.m.
Hoehn did not say why Painley was in the water, and the investigation of the accident is continuing.
Helping in the rescue were Ohiopyle Park Service personnel, Ohiopyle-Stewart and Farmington fire departments and local river guides.
The rapid waters of the Yough are deep from melted snow.
“The water gauge is above normal, at about 7 foot,’ said Hoehn. “The water temperature was a chilly 43 degrees, while the air temperature was 60 degrees.’
Although a few inches of snow still remain on the mountain hillsides, the sunny, warmer temperatures brought out many river enthusiasts Saturday.
“The kayakers usually start up about this time of year,’ said Hoehn. “With the spring-like weather, there were many here today.’
The parking lot at the Ohiopyle Falls scenic area was filled with tourists and sightseers.
Many cars toting bicycle racks were a sign that many were pedaling on the Youghiogheny River Bike Trail.