Accident Database

Report ID# 780

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  • Pinned in Boat against Rock or Sieve
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Accident Description

From the CWWA, http://tinyurl.com/df2a5:

Teenager Dies In Tubing Accident

A Littleton teenager was killed on Clear Creek near

Golden on June 8, during an inner-tubing trip with a group of friends. Carrie Fullerton, 17, died of drowning and hypothermia after her inner tube ruptured and she became entrapped under what rescuers described as “a large boulder.” One witness believed that there was a large tree root or branch under the boulder. The Colorado State Patrol was called to the scene at 3:08 p.m., and an officer and others at the scene tried to extricate Ms. Fullerton. Although her head was above water at first, she was gradually pulled under, and the rescuers were unable to save her. Her body was extracted by the Golden Fire and Water Rescue Department, but she could not be resuscitated when the Flight For Life helicopter crew arrived at 3:50 p.m.. Several rescuers, including her boyfriend, were treated for hypothermia. She was not wearing a lifejacket, wet- suit, or other protective clothing.

The accident happened close to mile marker 262 on Highway 6, west of Tunnel #3. This section is below the Upper Clear Creek run (Class IV) and above the Class V Black Rock run at mile 262.9. It is not known where the group put in, but they apparently did not realize that that section of Clear Creek was so hazard- ous. The Clear Creek Whitewater Park is 9 miles downstream.



According to Carl Blesch, Jefferson County Coroner, Ms. Fullerton was a healthy, athletic woman and was described by her family as a competent swimmer. She was not impaired at the time of the accident. Dr. Blesch suggested that signs might be posted on Clear Creek warning floaters of the hazards.

CWWA wishes to express our sympathy and condolences to Ms. Fullerton’s family and friends.

On June 8th an inner tube carrying Carrie Fullerton, 17, burst. She was pinned in a boulder sieve on a Class-III section of Colorado's Clear Creek.http://tinyurl.com/df2a5

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