Trauma accident near river (hiking/river bank slips/etc) · June 8, 2011
Accident Report for American Fork, Lower
American Fork · American Fork, Lower · Class IV
Accident Details
- Number of people injured
- 0
- Number of fatalities
- 1
- Number of people involved (or in party)
- 2
- Accident date
- June 8, 2011
- Accident type
- Trauma accident near river (hiking/river bank slips/etc)
- Coordinates
- 40.45270144, -111.66392331
- Was search and rescue called or needed?
- Yes
- Did this accident involve a commercial outfitter or guide?
- No
- Water flow at the time of the accident
- —
Accident Description
SOURCE -- http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=15895363
AMERICAN FORK -- An eight-year-old boy who was pulled from the American Fork River late Wednesday night has died.
Just before 8 p.m., deputies received a call that a mother and son had fallen into the river up the American Fork Canyon. The mother was able to get out with some help, but her son, Jayson Corporon floated down the river.
About an hour and a half later, searchers found the boy, pulled him out, and took him to the hospital by ambulance, but it was too late.
He is the fourth child to drown in less than two weeks. This is a tragic trend, so what can parents do to keep their kids safe?
An expert in the behavior of children says one of the only things you can do is supervise.
"Nothing is going to work better than supervision," Dr. Douglas Goldsmith, executive director of the Children's Center, said. "Parents need to know that kids aren't just going to be able to listen to them. When they turn their back, the kid's going to be in the water. They must absolutely supervise."
Supervision is especially important for preschool aged kids and younger. Goldsmith says they won't understand the water is dangerous, even if you tell them a few times.
Older kids still need supervision, too, but their mindset is a little different. Goldsmith says they are more likely to feel invincible.
Understanding how your child will react to warnings, he suggests setting clear boundaries.
"If I was going to be up near any of the raging streams, which is going to happen, I assume for the next month, I would put a piece of rope probably 20 feet away from the stream and say, ‘If you go past this rope, even one foot, meaning their actual foot, I'll punish you,'" Goldstein said.
Basically, establish boundaries and enforce those boundaries. And, of course, keep your eyes on your children.