Re: Accident on Harlem River - New York City

Row2k provides a synopisis of the information, and is likely your best source for facts. Row2k is run by a former Columbia University Oarsman (CUs boathouse is on the same river as the accident, close by) and multi-time National team member- he knows the area well and knows people familiar with the NY rowing scene.

http://www.row2k.com/news/news.cfm?ID=20259

From row2k:

Harlem River crash update

October 25, 2005

Update on the Harlem River crash as of 10 this morning.

The search for Jim Runsdorf was called off last night due to darkness, and is expected to resume this morning; unfortunately, weather conditions may impair the search.

Jim is 41 years old, a graduate of Tulane University and Columbia graduate school, and the married father of two daughters, ages 9 and 11. Jim is a member of the Board of Stewards for Power 10, a longtime member of the Kings Crown Rowing Association, and is on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Tulane Rowing. At Tulane, Jim was in the inaugural crew as a junior in spring 1985 and rowed again his senior year in 86. Jim is a good friend, a very well-liked member of the NYC rowing scene, and without exaggeration is the real deal, a great person to be around. We're pulling for him and his family.

Two-seat Ed Joyce, a Columbia grad and KCRA member, suffered a broken scapula, two broken ribs, a head gash, and required some stitches in his leg; after the collision, Ed was able to swim to the surface, and is doing fairly well as I understand it, with no seriously threatening injuries. Three-seat Vinny Houston suffered a head gash, and stroke Jeff Lundwall bruises and some other relatively minor injuries; both are okay as of this morning.

There have been conflicting reports in the news on precisely how the incident occurred; as best I can understand it from folks close to those involved, the crew was out for a regular morning row from the James P. Sharpe boathouse, and had just turned their shell around underneath the I-95 bridge near 181st street. The were taking a water break in preparation for starting a piece when they saw the boat headed directly for the bow at fairly high speed and close range, with no time to respond by rowing away, taking their feet out of the shoes, bailing out, or otherwise. The motorboat hit the crew head on, and Jim is thought to have taken the full impact of the collision. The crew had a bow-light, but reports say the pilot of the powerboat did not see it. As I understand it, the powerboat captain is himself an oarsman with the Piermont Rowing Club, located just south of the Tappan Zee Bridge on the opposite side of the Hudson River, and is on the board of directors there. He has not been found at fault at present, and no charges were filed; an investigation will follow.

row2k will update this item as pertinent information becomes available.


June Kendrick wrote:
There was an accident on the Harlem River this morning:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/nyc-miss1025,0,215056.story?coll=ny-main-tabheads3


A four person shell (doesn't say if a 4- or 4x) and a pleasure power boat (with 2 onboard) collided "head on" about 6:00- 6:30 AM (before sunrise). The power boat recovered 3 of the four rowers, one of whom had a serious head injury. The bow person was being searched for and presumed dead. 
.

Relevant Pages