Kayaker Trapped Underwater On The American River Dies
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A kayaker who was wedged underwater next to a roadway overpass support on the American River on Sunday has died.
Joyce Dalton, 57, of Davis was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. Monday at UC Davis Medical Center.
Authorities said a two-person kayak crashed into the concrete support underneath the Watt Avenue Bridge over the American River at about 7:30 p.m., flipping the kayak upside down and pinning Dalton and a male companion under the water line.
The male was able to escape, but Dalton remained pinned underneath.
Miguel Maldonado said he and his father jumped into the river after witnessing the accident and desperately tried to free the victim while authorities raced to the scene.
"The kayak kind of folded in half," Miguel said. "I had her arm out of the water...I felt her other arm floating, touching my leg."
Dalton remained there for 20 minutes until a fire department boat arrived and was able to free her, take her to the shore and perform lifesaving procedures.
Dalton was a high school teacher at Vanden High School in Fairfield for more than 13 years. Her family says she was relatively new to the sport of kayaking.
