Man dies in rafting accident on the Colorado River near Kremmling
Editor’s note: This story has been edited to reflect the correct day of the incident.
On Tuesday afternoon first responders received a report about a 38-year-old man who was unconscious and not breathing in the Colorado River at Pyrite Rapids in Gore Canyon near Kremmling in unincorporated Grand County.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Grand County Search and Rescue, Grand County EMS and Flight for Life all responded to the scene where the man had been pulled out of the water after he fell out of his raft. Due to the rough terrain, Union Pacific Railroad provided assistance with accessing the site via hi-rail truck – a vehicle that can operate on railroad tracks and roadways.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, a group launched their raft and the confluence of Blue and Colorado rivers. Shortly after launching the raft, the man fell overboard and was in the water for an unknown period of time before the group could locate him.
After exhausting all lifesaving interventions, crews from Grand County EMS and Flight for Life determined the man was deceased. The victim was an experienced rafter and was wearing a helmet and life jacket, the press release stated.
The man’s name and cause of death will be released by the Grand County Coroner’s Office when it is deemed appropriate.
Tara Alatorre is the editor of Sky-Hi News. You can reach her at 970-557-6031 or talatorre@skyhinews.com.
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