State College man dies of accidental drowning in Fayette County: Coroner
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A 43-year-old State College man died Friday night in an accidental drowning while kayaking with friends at Fayette County’s Ohiopyle State Park, according to Fayette County’s coroner.
Michael Barney was an experienced boater, the coroner said, but got stuck in a rapid while kayaking the lower Youghiogheny River. The coroner’s office responded at 7:19 p.m. Friday, and Barney was declared dead at the scene.
“His friends, DCNR and Fayette EMS worked tirelessly to save his life,” Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker said in a Facebook post.
The lower Youghiogheny River is known for its whitewater kayaking, canoeing and rafting. At least three kayakers since 2010 have died on the Youghiogheny after capsizing, according to a 2024 report from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
