Raft flips on swollen river, leaving one dead and one missing, Colorado rescuers say
A rafting accident on the Colorado River left one man dead and a second missing, Colorado sheriff’s officials reported.
The accident took place in Gore Canyon, southwest of Kremmling, at around 3:40 p.m. Saturday, June 1, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
A raft carrying three people capsized in the Yarmony Rapids, officials told KUSA. None of the three were wearing life jackets.
Bystanders tried to revive one of the men, later identified as Brent Boulter, 56, of Aurora, but he died, the sheriff’s office said.
A second, later identified as Thomas Russell, 61, of Littleton, was swept downriver and could not be found, deputies said. He was last seen wearing khaki shorts and a blue fishing shirt.
“We launched several rafts down the river, we used some drones from the air and then some ground troops, as well as a high rail from the railroad,” Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin told KDVR.
A third person in the raft swam to shore, the station reported.
Colorado is entering peak runoff season as snowmelt fills rivers and lakes, water attorney James Eklund told KUSA.
“More water in the river can mean more fun, more rapids to navigate,” Eklund said. “It can certainly be a wonderful thing, but it can also be dangerous.”
Kremmling is about a 105-mile drive northwest of Denver.
What to know about drowning
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 3, 2024 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Raft flips on swollen river, leaving one dead and one missing, Colorado rescuers say."