Two die at Pine Creek 1,840 cfs river flow exceeds AHRA high water advisory Kevin Hoffman Mail Staff Writer Two men died after their private raft overturned on the Arkansas River about a mile south of the Pine Creek put-in north of Buena Vista about noon Tuesday. Chaffee County Sheriff Tim Walker said both victims were men in their 40s from the Denver area. Walker reported the three men and one woman launched their raft from the Pine Creek put-in. A short distance downstream the rapid dumped the raft, tossing the two victims into the river. Two rafters remaining in the boat pulled one victim into the raft, unresponsive, and immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The raft landed near the Numbers launch site near mile marker 200 on U.S. 24. It was met there by Chaffee County Emergency Services personnel who transported the victim to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida where he was later pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, rescuers located the second victim seven miles downstream near Harvard Estates. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Walker said the other two rafters escaped injury. Chaffee County Coroner Randy Amettis said Tuesday evening names of the victims were being withheld pending notification of next of kin. He said autopsies are scheduled today.

Pine Creek is a Class V rapid, characterized by professionals as long, violent and extremely difficult. At the time of the incident, flow in the Arkansas River was recorded at 1,840 cubic feet per second at the Granite gauge about 3 miles upstream. Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area officials issue a high water advisory for Pine Creek rapid when river flow at the Granite gauge reaches 1,250 cfs. The advisory is a recommendation that commercial outfitters not run that section. If commercial companies choose to boat through, they are required to have multiple boats or a safety kayaker. Private boaters don't face the same restrictions.