Accident Database

Report ID# 114990

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  • Equipment Trap
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Accident Description

From: Jo Creeks

Brown's Canyon, Arkansas River, CO

June 22, 2021

 “CCSAR-N was paged out at 13:30 for an EMS assist for a private boater requiring medical evaluation. Chaffee County EMS, Chaffee County Sheriff, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife were also on scene.

The subject capsized at the top of Staircase Rapid and became entangled in his boat when a non-locking carabiner attached his PFD to equipment on the raft. After removing his PFD to free himself, the subject swam the rapid without a PFD, and was pulled from the river above Widowmaker Rapid with the assistance of bystanders. CCSAR-N transported the subject via ATV from the river to Chaffee County EMS, where he was taken by ambulance for evaluation. Mission terminated at 15:51.

Non-locking carabiners can create considerable entrapment risk for boaters. While this incident had a fortunate outcome, it serves as an important reminder to check for entanglement hazards every time you get on the water.”

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