Saenz v. Whitewater Voyages, Inc.

Opinion

ANDERSON, P. J.

Edward Saentz (decedent) drowned at Murderer’s Bar Rapid after falling out of a raft guided down the Middle Fork of the American River by employees of respondent commercial rafting company. The trial court entered summary judgment for the rafting company in the wrongful death action brought by decedent’s heir (appellant). We affirm on the basis that the decedent expressly assumed the risks attendant to whitewater rafting so as to relieve the rafting company of its duty of care toward him.

I. Factual Background

In early 1988 Pat DeBurgh organized a group of card dealers…