A tragic rafting accident on the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Falls has left a 5-year-old child dead and a father missing after their inflatable raft overturned in dangerous waters near the Sheraton Hotel on Front Street. Authorities have shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation as they continue searching for 32-year-old Patrick Cross, the missing father of the child, identified by family members as Braxton Cross.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the river Saturday after receiving reports of individuals in distress on the water. According to witnesses and social media accounts from family members and bystanders, the Cross family—two parents and their two young sons—had entered the river in recreational inflatables not suited for the swift and high-volume conditions present over the weekend.
Local resident Brian Smart, who was near the river at the time, described the scene on Facebook: “It’s a recovery mission now. Recreational private floaters with Walmart-style pool inflatables got on the river. A family of four. The wife and older son managed to get out of the river above the falls. The dad and younger child went over the falls, unable to exit the river. No life jackets. It’s a very sad tragedy that could have easily been avoided.”
Dangerous Conditions Ignored
Heavy rains in recent days had caused water levels on the Cuyahoga River to rise sharply, with flow rates reportedly exceeding 2,300 cubic feet per second (cfs), creating dangerous conditions even for experienced paddlers. The family, reportedly unaware of the river’s hazards, missed the designated takeout point and were swept downstream toward the Class V waterfalls and rapids near the Sheraton Hotel—a notoriously treacherous area known for its powerful currents and rocky drop-offs.
Don Howdyshell, an experienced paddler familiar with the area, commented online: “High water, inexperienced, no life jackets, missed their takeout, inflatable tubes into Class 5 waterfalls and jumble rapid. Likely drowning/flush drowning—but unconfirmed. Witnesses and on-site video show the individuals resurfaced a few times before disappearing.”
Braxton was recovered from the water but pronounced dead at the scene. Patrick Cross has not yet been found, despite hours of searching by multiple emergency agencies, including Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, Summit County Water Rescue Team, and metro park rangers. Drones, boats, and search crews combed both the water and surrounding trails throughout Sunday.
Family Appeals for Help
Nicole Huffman, a family member, issued a plea on social media asking the public to be vigilant: “Please be on the lookout for Patrick and Braxton… They went tubing down the Cuyahoga River and had an accident where the tubes flipped by the Sheraton Hotel. His wife and oldest son made it out, but Patrick and Braxton were swept away.”
A community-organized search party convened early Sunday morning at Gorge Metro Park to assist in the efforts to locate Patrick.
Authorities Urge Caution
Officials are once again urging the public to heed warnings about river conditions and to avoid entering the water when flow levels are high. The Cuyahoga River, while popular for kayaking and tubing during calmer months, becomes extremely hazardous during periods of high runoff.
“This was a preventable tragedy,” said one first responder at the scene. “No life jackets, poor weather conditions, and unsuitable flotation devices combined into a fatal situation.”
The incident has shaken the Cuyahoga Falls community, with many offering prayers and condolences for the Cross family.
As of Sunday evening, the search for Patrick Cross remains ongoing. Authorities ask that anyone with information or who may have seen something in the area contact the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department or park officials.