In a tragic turn of events, a 22-year-old woman from Prattsburg lost her life in a canoe accident on a river in Big Flats. Around 5 p.m. on April 22, troopers from Horseheads responded to a report of a capsized canoe on Miracle Lane, with a possible drowning victim.
Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found the canoe but were unable to reach it due to its location from the shoreline and the challenging river conditions. A group of young adults had been traveling down the river in kayaks and canoes at the time of the incident. Two women wearing life vests were in the canoe that struck a downed tree, causing it to capsize.
While one of the women managed to free herself and get to shore, the other became trapped beneath the overturned canoe. Swift Water Rescue Teams from the Wellsburg and Southport Fire Departments were eventually able to dislodge the canoe from the tree.
Tragically, the second woman was found deceased underneath the canoe.
The victim’s name is currently being withheld. The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, West Elmira Police Department, and fire departments from West Elmira, Golden Glow, and Big Flats were also present to assist at the scene.
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