On Monday, Nov. 25, at approximately 5:17 p.m., National Parks Service rangers received a call from dispatch regarding a drowning near Meadow Creek. Rangers responded, along with Green Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. The victim, Gary Lee Adkins, 36, of Pax, had been in a flat bottom canoe with his two stepsons, age 15 and 16 when the boat capsized half way through the Meadow Creek rapids. One of the boys was unable to swim, so his brother helped him to shore. Adkins was also unable to make it to shore. His stepson brought him to shore where the boys attempted CPR. Rangers arrived on scene and with assistance from CSX were able to move Adkins’ body to the ambulance. NPS Rangers are investigating.
