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Kayaker injured going over Glen Falls in Williamsville

Posted at 3:47 PM, Apr 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-05 15:47:08-04

A kayaker sustained possible head and neck injuries Thursday afternoon after intentionally going over the falls at Williamsville's Glen Falls Park.

James Ratchford and Patrick Craft were white water kayaking over the falls just after 1 p.m. when Ratchford's kayak took the falls at the wrong angle, causing the kayak to fip over on the first ledge of the falls. Ratchford then went over the second ledge of the falls upside down.

Craft told 7 Eyewitness News at the scene that Ratchford was conscious but seemed disoriented and expressed having pain in his clavicle. That's when the pair decided to call for help.

Amherst Police, Twin City Ambulance and Amherst Fire Control responded to the scene. First responders were able to bring Ratchford up the embarkment and load him into an ambulance. Craft says Ratchford was conscious and responsive the whole time.

Craft said both he and Ratchford know that white water kayaking is dangerous and always carries the possibility of injury.

"It could have definitely gone worse but that's the risk that we take when it comes to white water kayaking," Craft said. "It's definitely not a family friendly safe sport."

"Always wear your safety gear; count the risk before you take it, and just don't be stupid," Clark said.

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