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Kell
DRY FORK-- A Maryland woman died while kayaking in Tucker County this week, officials said.
A kayaking incident on Sunday resulted in the death of Nancy Kell, 56, of Hagerstown, Maryland, the Division of Natural Resources confirmed in a press statement.
Preliminary reports state that while on Red Creek, near Dryfork in Tucker County, her kayak struck a partially submerged tree, overturning her into the water. Her body was recovered downstream.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police are in charge of the investigation.
Many friends of Kell's have reacted on social media to her passing.
On the Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers Facebook page, Charlie Walbridge posted an accident report written by Ken Durr and Bill Durr, who were on the kayaking outing with Kell.
Ken Durr wrote, "A group of seven boaters set out to run Red Creek from Laneville to the Dry Fork of the Cheat. Air temperature was approximately high 50s, but getting colder. Winds were becoming gusty making communication difficult. All were experienced boaters. All had taken swift water rescue classes.
"About three miles into the run, in relatively flat water, we took a left hand turn around an island and approached a spot with a pile of wood, mostly branches, extending 4-5 feet from river left… Nancy then eddied out ahead of me, facing upstream, just upstream from a log protruding a few feet from the bank at head or shoulder height. I warned her not to drift into it, but she hit it, flipped, and I saw the boat run through the channel upside down. It did not stop or slow at any point; there was no attempt to roll, and no apparent swim… The boat was soon out of sight."
The report states that Ken Durr continued downstream for about five minutes and then saw Kell's helmet underwater. He lifted her body out of the water and cut free a strap which was caught on a branch of the submerged tree. When she was removed from the stream Bill Durr and another man performed CPR for 40 minutes but to no avail, the report reads.
Sheila Chapelle posted on Facebook, "Such a tremendous loss, my good friend and paddling companion, Nancy Kell, passed while paddling lower Red Creek yesterday -- caught in a strainer. Her companions did all they could… Nancy was a kingpin in our local and distant paddling community -- connecting paddlers with each other -- encouraging people to get on the river. Always having a great day no matter what the conditions. She was also was a school guidance counselor and touched innumerable students."
Andrew Rabinowitz posted on the Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers Facebook page that "Nancy was my teacher, mentor, and most importantly a very dear friend who I was ever so privileged to spend countless hours with on the river. She was a beautiful example of how live a kind, generous, adventurous and fulfilling life… My heart is broken and my thoughts go out to her family, friends, all that were involved with her rescue, and our entire paddling community."