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Accident Database: Accident #811
| River: | Colorado |
| Section: | 5. Shoshone Power Plant Exit 123 (I-70) to Grizzly Creek Exit 121 (I-70) |
| Location: | Reverse Curve Tunnel |
| Gauge: | 11,000 cfs |
| Water Level: | High |
| Difficulty: | III |
| Accident Code(s): | No PFD |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 32 |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Open Canoe |
| Number of Occupants: | 3 |
| Number in Group: | 3 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | High Water |
| Summary: | Time ran out for a man paddling a canoe with his father and sister in Glenwood Canyon of the Colorado River. According to the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent, the accident occurred on May 31 at 6:00 PM just below the Reverse Curve Tunnel. There are some riffles and tricky currents here at low water, but the river was nearing peak flows at the time. Life jackets were carried, but not used. After the canoe capsized, two paddlers and a dog made it safely ashore. Erich Fritz, 32, was very close to safety when he slipped beneath the water’s surface. Several days later he had not been found, but his canoe washed over Shoshone Dam and was recovered by highway workers. |
| Link: | http://tinyurl.com/cjnvx |
| Report Status: | Incomplete |
