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Canoeist forecasted 'classic day' Canoeist predicted 'classic day'
(about 2 hours later)
A canoeist who was killed on the River Dart had predicted a "classic Dartmoor day" on a website.A canoeist who was killed on the River Dart had predicted a "classic Dartmoor day" on a website.
Chris Wheeler, 46, from Reading, Berkshire, became trapped against a tree in the rain-swollen river on Saturday afternoon.Chris Wheeler, 46, from Reading, Berkshire, became trapped against a tree in the rain-swollen river on Saturday afternoon.
Two other canoeists who tried to rescue him were treated for hypothermia.Two other canoeists who tried to rescue him were treated for hypothermia.
Hundreds of tributes have been paid to Mr Wheeler on canoe websites with one calling him "an inspirational paddler and an ambassador to the sport".Hundreds of tributes have been paid to Mr Wheeler on canoe websites with one calling him "an inspirational paddler and an ambassador to the sport".
'Mad mile''Mad mile'
Chartered surveyor Mr Wheeler wrote on the UK Rivers Guidebook website on Thursday: "1. Rivers on Dartmoor won't rise (from low medium to high) until between 1 & 3pm on Saturday.Chartered surveyor Mr Wheeler wrote on the UK Rivers Guidebook website on Thursday: "1. Rivers on Dartmoor won't rise (from low medium to high) until between 1 & 3pm on Saturday.
"2. The rivers will rise quickly, within an hour"2. The rivers will rise quickly, within an hour
"3. This will take lots of people by surprise"3. This will take lots of people by surprise
"Another classic Dartmoor day then, can't wait!""Another classic Dartmoor day then, can't wait!"
Mr Wheeler was in a group kayaking on the River Dart, near Poundsgate, known by canoeists as the "mad mile".Mr Wheeler was in a group kayaking on the River Dart, near Poundsgate, known by canoeists as the "mad mile".
Chris was an inspiration, always so friendly, and so often the voice of reason Tom LawsChris was an inspiration, always so friendly, and so often the voice of reason Tom Laws
Fire, police, ambulance and Dartmoor rescue crews along with a Sea King helicopter from RMB Chivenor were involved in the rescue.Fire, police, ambulance and Dartmoor rescue crews along with a Sea King helicopter from RMB Chivenor were involved in the rescue.
It took the emergency services more than 10 hours to retrieve Mr Wheeler's body from the steep river gorge.It took the emergency services more than 10 hours to retrieve Mr Wheeler's body from the steep river gorge.
"GB", another contributor to the UK Rivers Guidebook website, wrote about Mr Wheeler: "A wonderful man we'll all miss and a loss to everyone who knew him.""GB", another contributor to the UK Rivers Guidebook website, wrote about Mr Wheeler: "A wonderful man we'll all miss and a loss to everyone who knew him."
Tom Laws wrote: "Very sad news, Chris was an inspiration, always so friendly, and so often the voice of reason."Tom Laws wrote: "Very sad news, Chris was an inspiration, always so friendly, and so often the voice of reason."
Jason Smith, editor of Canoe & Kayak magazine, said: "Chris's light burned brightly and for all those who were lucky enough to meet and know him the world is a little darker for his passing."
James Reeves from the Great Britain Freestyle Kayaking Team told BBC News: "The Dart is one of the greatest rivers in the UK because it's got everything from fairly mild water for inexperienced paddlers right up to grade 4 or grade 5 which is near the top end.James Reeves from the Great Britain Freestyle Kayaking Team told BBC News: "The Dart is one of the greatest rivers in the UK because it's got everything from fairly mild water for inexperienced paddlers right up to grade 4 or grade 5 which is near the top end.
"There's a lot of information on when is a good time to paddle.""There's a lot of information on when is a good time to paddle."
He said times of high rainfall were "exactly the time paddlers go on rivers".He said times of high rainfall were "exactly the time paddlers go on rivers".
He said: "You can't go on it when there's no water.He said: "You can't go on it when there's no water.
"If you need help you need to make sure you speak to someone who is competent."If you need help you need to make sure you speak to someone who is competent.
"Those decisions would have been made before. It's just an unfortunate accident really. Very sad news.""Those decisions would have been made before. It's just an unfortunate accident really. Very sad news."