Rafter dies when rushing rapids flip boat carrying 3 on Colorado river, officials say

A man died after rapids capsized a raft, spilling three people into the chilly, rushing Arkansas River, Colorado officials reported.

It’s the third death on the river in a week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said in a news release.

In a separate incident, a canoer also died in the Colorado River, sheriff’s officials said.

A raft carrying three people flipped on the Bear Creek Rapid on the Arkansas River east of Salida at 3 p.m. Friday, June 23, officials said.

All three people were thrown into the swift, 60-degree water, officials said. One person made it to shore and a ranger patrolling the river rescued the second.

A search discovered the third rafter had become entangled with the raft, which was found about 2 miles downstream, officials said.

His body washed up on an island, where private boaters found him and rescuers began CPR, but they could not revive him, the agency reported.

The man was wearing a life jacket, parks officials said.

“This death is the 14th confirmed water-related death in Colorado in 2023 and the third in the Arkansas River in a week,” the agency said.

On the Colorado River, three people in inflatable canoes became separated in the swift current on Friday, June 23, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

One of the other canoers found the person in the river and began CPR, but the individual could not be revived, sheriff’s officials said. All of the canoers were wearing life jackets.

Safety tips

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.

“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”

This story was originally published June 25, 2023 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Rafter dies when rushing rapids flip boat carrying 3 on Colorado river, officials say."