25-year-old tourist found dead in Rocky Mountain National Park waterfall, rangers say

A 25-year-old Rhode Island man visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado fell to his death at a waterfall, a National Park Service news release said.

The Providence man vanished Sunday, July 2, after being pulled underwater following a fall at West Creek Falls on the east side of the park, the release said.

His body was recovered that night, the release said. It was flown to a meadow and transferred to the Larimer County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office to determine his cause of death, officials said.

Officials did not identify him in the release.

“Mountain rivers, streams, and waterfalls are running very cold and very fast this time of year,” the release warned, encouraging visitors to stay back from slippery banks. “The depth and current of all waterways can be deceivingly deep and swift.”

“Powerful currents can quickly pull a person underwater,” officials said. “Always provide proper supervision for children, who by nature, tend to be attracted to water.”

The 415-square mile Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado saw 4.3 million visitors in 2022, the National Park Service said.

This story was originally published July 4, 2023 at 10:26 AM with the headline "25-year-old tourist found dead in Rocky Mountain National Park waterfall, rangers say."