Accident Database: Accident #35
| River: | Colorado |
| Location: | Through Glenwood Springs |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | II |
| Accident Code(s): | Debris Pin |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 13 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Experienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Kayak - Unknown |
| Number of Occupants: | 1 |
| Number in Group: | 2 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | Man-made Debris Strainer |
| Summary: | A man and his 13 year-old son were paddling the Colorado River through Glenwood Springs at 6:30 PM on June 24, 1986. Paddling into the sun, they failed to spot a steel pylon from a removed railroad trestle that barely broke the surface of the water. The boy's boatr wrapped around the pylon, trapping him underwater. His father got to him quickly and struggled to keep his head above water. After losing what must have been a desperate fight he sought help. Garfield SAR pulled the boy from the kayak at 7:20 PM. CPR was unsuccessful. Source: Casey Swanson, Littleton, CO. |
| Detailed Description: | A dangerous obstruction combined with poor visibility and bad luck caused this fatality. It points out the need to stay alert whenever you are in the current. |
| Report Status: | Completed |