The death of one man while canoeing on the Sangamon River near Decatur reminds us all that while we're enjoying our river, nature remains full of perils. While no-one can know the details of how this person lost his life, we can all know that while the river entices us in, it can also be a dangerous place where a pleasant afternoon can turn tragic.

As for me, I would never recommend not doing something because one person is injured or killed while doing it, and many of us, including myself enjoy the solitude of paddling on this and other rivers. But we can be sure and be safe, let others know our plans, and be smart as well.

The loss of this life on the river reminds us that all of us, regardless of our skill should ALWAYS  remember to be very careful out there.

The sympathies of all of us at the USRC go out to this man's family.

Scott