Accident Database

Report ID#65940

2005-05-30
accident date
Unidentified Airman
victim
23
victim age
Rio Grande (5. John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge
river
5. John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge (Lower Taos Box)
section
n/a
location
5000-6000 cfs
gage
High
water level
N/A
river difficulty
Flush Drowning
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
High Water
factors
Private
trip type
Raft
boat type
status?
status

Description

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. 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.