A coroner and state police say a 61-year-old man died after his kayak capsized on the Youghiogheny River in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Fayette County coroner's office says William Philips, of McMurray, died after he went under the water in Lower Tyrone Township about 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Philips was with a group of friends participating in an event called "First Float" when his kayak overturned. According to WPXI-TV, the accident may have happened in a rocky, trouble-spot on the river.
Coroner Dr. Phillip Reilly said Philips was submerged for a number of minutes before friends noticed, turned his kayak upright and tried to resuscitate him. Reilly said he could not find a witness to confirm the victim was wearing either a life preserver or a helmet, even though Philips reportedly signed a waiver when he rented the kayak saying that he would wear the safety gear.
