Prominent Newport area doctor dies on river rafting trip down the Wenatchee River in Washington
Dr. Kenneth Tyson, 54
Dies in river rafting excursion on the upper Wenatchee River
Pacific Communities Hospital and many Lincoln County families are mourning the death of Dr. Kenneth Tyson, a popular and prominent doctor who has delivered many newborns into the world. Dr.Tyson, 54, was part of a float down what many describe as a very dangerous stretch of the Wenatchee River – through the Tumwater Canyon especially. (See video below).
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office reports that Tyson was on a rafting trip Saturday aboard what is called a Creature Craft that is touted as being one of the most effective white water rapids craft of its kind. Deputies say that Tyson was navigating the river, with tumultuous class 5 falls, along with others when suddenly he was thrown into the water and disappeared beneath the whitewater.
Officers say that Tyson was found downstream, in an eddy, on the west bank of the river. His fellow rafters said he was unconscious and unresponsive. They immediately began CPR and ferried him across the river to the highway on the other side. He was transported to Cascade Medical Center in Leavenworth where he was later pronounced deceased.
Witnesses say Tyson’s raft rolled over onto it’s side, ripping him out of his safety harness and into the water. Tyson was wearing a life jacket, wet suit and a helmet. Yet he did not survive.
Deputies say that the Tumwater Canyon stretch of the Wenatchee River is one of the most challenging, if not dangerous stretches of white water rapids in the country, and should be attempted by only the most elite of expert white water rafters. They say local rafting excursion companies begin their rafting trips well downstream of the Tumwater Canyon area for that very reason.
Funeral: Viewing will be June 7th, Friday, 10a-7pm at Bateman Funeral Home
Funeral Service will be June 8th, Saturday, 2pm at Bateman Funeral Home
Here is a You Tube video of what the Wenatchee River through Tumwater Canyon looks like this time of year…