On May 23, 2025, a kayak accident proved fatal when a Park Resource Manager capsized on Neshaminy Creek and was pulled over a dam at Tyler State Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Body of 38-year-old park ranger swept over dam recovered
Police shared that 38-year-old Park Resource Manager Alec Campbell was trying to place a buoy when he capsized around noon in the rain-swollen creek. Footage shot during rescue efforts shows a life jacket tossing in the turbulent water below the dam, and a kayak pinned against a culvert.
While it is unknown whether or not Campbell was wearing a life jacket, life jackets that are not fitted securely can be pulled off in strong recirculating currents.
Tyler State Park remained closed over the holiday weekend as search crews worked to recover the body, an effort complicated by the strong currents at the base of the dam. Campbell was identified as the victim on May 25 and his body was recovered.
“My thoughts are with the employee’s family, loved ones, and fellow park staff during this difficult time. I am deeply grateful to the first responders and emergency personnel for their swift response and continued efforts on the scene,” shared Pennsylvania State Representative Kristin Marcell in a statement on Facebook.
Campbell leaves behind two sons and a wife.
Low-head dams: the drowning machine
The rapids beneath the Neshaminy Creek dam are known for panfish and smallmouth bass. As the river falls over the dam, anglers find a pool above the dam and a stretch of fast-moving oxygenated water where smallmouth thrive below. As water levels and currents increase following a rainstorm, dams like the one at Neshaminy Creek and the recirculating currents below can be especially difficult to escape the closer you get – a hazard the park ranger was likely trying to warn others of by installing the buoy.
Even apparently small dams can hold extremely dangerous recirculating currents. Often referred to as “drowning machines,” a low-head dam like the feature on Neshaminy Creek poses a high risk to kayakers. Low-head dams are manmade, stretching from bank to bank of a river or creek, and often feature a recirculating current. As water pours uniformly over the dam even a small drop becomes deadly; the current below can trap paddlers, boats, and debris within it, holding them beneath the water.
Low-head dams are best avoided by researching your route before heading out to paddle and marking potential hazards in advance. Features like low-head dams are generally marked on river maps; stay clear of low-head dams and plan a portage around ahead of time. Additionally, note that high water levels and rainfall can lead to increased current speeds, and wind can also change the conditions around a low-head dam.
Rescuers search for the missing park ranger. Feature Image: 6abc Philadelphia | YouTube
Ah. Prayers for him & his family. Water can truly be terrifying sometimes – we forget how powerful it is.
I am so saddened that this man lost his life trying to keep others safe from a hazard they may not have recognized. Condolences and prayers to his family and fellow park rangers.