LA GRANDE — Gabrielle Peppard’s uncle, Cory, began a tradition of whitewater rafting with friends and loved ones some 15 years ago.

The year’s getaway, however, turned tragic when a rotted tree branch fell on two of the group’s tents at a campsite along the Grande Ronde River near dawn on June 14.

 

“I woke up with a bloody nose, and I kind of just held my face over my hands trying to figure out what’s going on,” said Peppard, who lives in Port Angeles, Washington. “And then I crawled over to open my tent, and I could hear everybody outside, just screaming my uncle’s name.”

 

Cory Peppard, 61, was killed by the branch, which was 14 inches in diameter and fell around 5:30 a.m.

 

Gabrielle, 23, and Cory’s girlfriend, Viola Child, 54, sustained injuries that required medical evaluation. A month later, Gabrielle, who sustained a concussion, is coping with physical ailments and remembering the horrific scene, finding solace in her horses and support system.

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The trip

 

On the night of June 13, the group of eight rafters settled for a less-than-ideal campsite after floating 14 miles downstream from Minam, where they started the trip, Peppard said.

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Read the full article on The Observer's website here.