State College Man drowns while kayaking at Ohiopyle
Ben Moyer
Ben Moyer
The Youghiogheny River flowing northwest toward the camera through its gorge within Ohiopyle State Park. Runoff from about half of Fayette County鈥檚 land area, in the north and east, drains to the Youghiogheny first, before joining the Monongahela at McKeesport.
A 43-year-old man from State College drowned while kayaking in the Youghiogheny River Friday evening, according to Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker.
According to officials, Michael Barney drowned while kayaking in Ohiopyle State Park on Friday night. Emergency officials responded to the scene at approximately 7:19 p.m. after Barney’s friends reported that he had become stuck in a rapid on the lower Youghiogheny River.
“Barney, an experienced boater, along with friends, were kayaking the lower Yough River, when he got stuck in a rapid. His friends, DCNR and Fayette EMS worked tirelessly to save his life,” Baker said in an online statement late Friday night.
Baker stated that the cause of death has been determined as drowning, with the manner classified as accidental.