A State College man died while kayaking Friday night at Ohiopyle State Park.
Fayette County Coroner Dr. David Baker identified the victim as 43-year-old Michael Barney.
Baker said Barney was an experienced boater who while kayaking with friends on the lower portion of the Youghiogheny River was stuck in a rapid along the waterway.
Efforts to rescue Barney by his friends as well as first responders with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Fayette EMS were unsuccessful.
Baker said Barney drowned and ruled his death an accident.
Fifteen people died and six more were injured after falling into the Lower Yough while kayaking or rafting, either on private or commercial trips, between 1982 and 2022, according to the American Whitewater database and TribLive archives.
A June 2024 TribLive report highlighted the dangers and lack of guidelines associated with kayaking on the along the lower Yough.