Accident Database

Report ID#65878

2003-05-31
accident date
Erich Fritz
victim
32
victim age
Colorado
river
5. Shoshone Power Plant Exit 123 (I-70) to Grizzly Creek Exit 121 (I-70)
section
Reverse Curve Tunnel
location
11,000 cfs
gage
High
water level
III
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
High Water, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

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. http://tinyurl.com/cjnvx