To start with, according to the Albright Bridge conversion the Cheat was only a little above 3 ft.That's hardly "high and swift" to experienced Cheat paddlers.Secondly Decision is one of the easier rapids in the canyon and if you're swimming in Decision that may be an indication you lack the skills to be on that run.Thirdly it's possible this "crew" had yet to get the rust out since Decision is the 1st rapid of any difficulty on the Cheat.
The article doesn't state whether this was a private or commercial trip.If it was a private group out on a Monday they may have been without any support in trying to locate the body and that may have contributed to this poor fellows demise.
Disclaimers:
1-There's very little detail offered so much of what I've said is obviously based on pure speculation.
2-I mean no disrespect to the family of this man.They are obviously suffering now and my heart goes out to them.Guilt is almost always an element in the aftermath of tragedy, and often present when absolutely no one is to blame.Having lost both a brother and sister to tragedy I wish them success in dealing with the demon's of 20/20 hindsight.
Paul