The Afon Ogwen at Braichmelyn. Photo: Nigel Williams CC BY-SA 2.0
The paddler who died after being swept down a north Wales river has been named.
Ian William Walsh, 54, from Preston, Lancashire, was with a companion on the Afon Ogwen near Bethesda on Saturday when both men’s kayaks capsized.
One man scrambled to safety near a caravan park at Braichmelyn, but Mr Walsh was pulled from the water near Penrhyn Castle, 6km (3¾miles) downstream.
A Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley airlifted the kayaker to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan but he died soon afterwards.
Mr W. Elsh
17 January 2011Afon Ogwen
Bob
17 January 2011Sorry, we went a bit English phonetic there. The picture caption was right; story now corrected. Apologies for the error.
Bob Smith, editor
Guy Robins Idaho, USA.
17 January 2011I was very sad to hear of Ian's tragic kayaking accident. I was extremely lucky to have spent time with him kayaking on the rivers of the Himalayas. As an expert kayaker he played an integral part in the training of our Nepalese river guides who loved him, as well as providing kayak rescue skills for the safety of our clients.
His super dry English wit will be missed by the entire International kayaking Community.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Keep surfing that big wave in the sky my friend.