A University of Cincinnati student died earlier this month after being swept away while crossing a creek during a club hike in West Virginia. Thomas Donnelly, 21, was hiking with seven other members of the UC Mountaineering Club on October 9 in the Red Creek Trail and Fisher Springs Trail area of Tucker County. Water levels were elevated and currents were swift when he lost his footing. A 911 call reported him missing around 11:30 a.m. on October 11, and search efforts were suspended that evening because of weather and darkness before his body was recovered Monday afternoon.
The story hits close to home for a lot of Suncoast families. We’re an outdoors community, and plenty of us have kids or grandkids who head off on college adventures with hiking and mountaineering clubs. Creek crossings are one of the least dramatic hazards on a trail, and that is exactly what makes them dangerous. Fast-moving water a foot or two deep can take an adult off their feet in seconds. Search-and-rescue teams in remote mountain terrain face their own challenges, from shifting weather to fading daylight, which is why prevention matters so much.
UC Dean of Students Shaka Sydnor released a statement saying the loss is heartbreaking and asking the community to keep Thomas’s family in their thoughts. For local outdoor families, the takeaway is simple: talk about water crossings before the trip, check conditions, and never feel awkward about turning back. What safety habits does your family follow on hikes here in Florida? Share your tips in the comments.
