Accident Database: Accident #903
| River: | Rio Grande |
| Gauge: | 5000-6000 cfs |
| Water Level: | High |
| Accident Code(s): | Long Swim (L.S.) |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Age: | 61 |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Commercial |
| Boat Type: | Raft |
| Number in Group: | 6 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | High Water |
| Summary: | There were two more flush-drownings on the Rio Grande during a period of exceptionally high water. From late May through early June, the river ran between 5,000 and 6,000 cfs. One death involved a 61 year-old commercial passenger on the “racecourse” section; the second fatality was a 23 year-old man participating in a recreation program run by Kirtland Air Force Base. In each case the boat flipped in the rapids, and five or six other people survived the swim. |
| Report Status: | Completed |