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Washington man drowns after being swept into Yough
George Willhoft, 20, of 705-Rear Broad St., was pronounced dead at Uniontown Hospital after being pulled from the water by a kayaker.
Stacie Faust, assistant park manager, said Willhoft and four friends were swimming in the river, where the water was more than 4 feet high because of recent rains. The water level above the falls is usually about 2 feet, she said.
Willhoft was in the middle of the river when he got caught in the swift current. He managed to grab a buoy line strung across the river before the falls and several people on shore attempted unsuccessfully to rescue him with a ring buoy.
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Several of Willhoft's friends also were swept downstream but managed to grab the buoy line and get to shore.
Faust said extra signs were posted warning people of the high water danger.
why : 6/25/2009
why were they even permitted to be in the water if it was that dangerous ?
why? : 6/25/2009
maybe they were swimming in a restricted area or maybe they weren't....but they are accountable for their own actions! they are grown men. anyone can see the rivers are swelled d/ t the heavy rains and currents would be quite swift. any river demands respect and caution. it's a terrible accident
Responsibility : 6/25/2009
We make mistakes and can deceide for ourselves what is safe and what isn't. It is no one's fault but his.
pray for the family : 6/25/2009
Please do not judge this person. No matter how it happened their is a life lost. We all know when you are young you believe nothing will happen to you. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Garrett and Willhoft family.
Billy : 6/25/2009
i saw every thing he was not only my cousin but one of my best friends i tried to help but there was only so much that i could do
will be missed : 6/25/2009
george(pette) will be missed by all its terrible that this has happened. he was a good kid and sorry that he is gone . my heart goes out to the garrett and wilcoft family my prayers and thoughts will be with you in your time of need. may god look after you and help you threw this.
good guy : 6/25/2009
He was a good man he saved our friends son's life grom getting hit by a car and had many great friends.i didnt know him as much as my friend did but as far as i am concerned he should still be here
Questionable : 6/26/2009
The full knowledge of the dangers of the waters that day were that of the trained park employees monitoring the park that day. The "Do Not Swim In This Area" signs should have been posted before my son lost his life.That entire area should have been closed for the day as I'm sure the park officials knew the waters had swollen well above normal. May God forgive those with careless thought and consideration when thinking of my son and the pain our family and friends are going through. A pain that was deepened even more when his so-called friends went to his apartment just hours after his passing and began taking his personal belongings. SO, by words or actions there are those of ill will and for those I can only pray for your souls!!!!
JUST A FREIND : 6/26/2009
Ive Got To Know Pette Thourgh His Aunt Cat. He Was Great Kid Who Made Me Laugh. I loved Last Summer He Stay With Us Him And Boy Wear Always Into Something He Live His Life To The Fullist. Pette I,m Going To Miss You And Your Laugh And Hereing Your Voice But I Know Your Still With Us All In Spirit. Alway Uncle Steve !
to the family : 6/27/2009
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Pette was a great kid and i will miss him, my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of need, and even thou he was takin from you so young he will be watching over you, may he be at peace with the angels, my dearest sympothys to the Willholt and Garrette family
