June 21, 2011
Ramah Darom camper dies on rafting trip
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An 11th grade camper at Camp Ramah Darom was killed during an accident on a white-water rafting trip.
Andrew Silvershein, of Davie, Fla., died when his raft capsized June 19 on the first day of a trip on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. Six other campers who had been with Silvershein on the raft made it back to shore safely. Silvershein remained trapped under a rock, under the water’s surface, according to Southern Jewish Life Magazine. A paddle reportedly was used to free him, but CPR efforts failed.
It is the second drowning of a rafter on the Ocoee River this month, according to reports.
A guide rode on each raft and campers wore life preservers and helmets, according to the magazine.
Grief counselors were called to the camp to meet with the campers following the accident. Campers were allowed to call home, and parents had been notified of Silvershein’s death by phone calls and an e-mail prior to the calls.
Silvershein was entering his junior year in high school and played in his school’s marching band. His younger sister was also a camper at Ramah Darom. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, the Sun-Sentinel reported. .
The accident occurred during the first week of the camp’s eight-week session.
