From Emily Jackson - Matt Hargrove Pulled the guy out- two climbers who were pack rafting - Matt saw the guy floating face down and pulled him out and tried his best to resuscitate
From Christof Stock - have first hand knowledge. The death was from swimming the lower part of the BV play park. This is a difficult stretch (IV or IV+) to boat and swim at high water. Two pack rafters. The one in back (eventual death) flipped either in the Lodo Wave or the trashy feature above it or the Competion Hole at the Surf Hotel. The guy in front wasn't looking back (this section requires concentration.) The guy in front flipped in Lodo Wave. He was focused on self rescue. He looked up briefly and saw his buddy trying to self rescue below Lodo Wave.
Both swimmers went through Beaver Falls which is a trashy swim. The left side has a big hole that will recirculate you at this high water level and you will hit rocks. The right side is a big wave train with one submerged rock that will make breathing while swimming difficult. The victim was next observed motionless, face down 100 yards downstream of Beaver Falls (at Beaver Falls bridge). He was pulled out in 5-10 minutes later by an experienced boater about 200 yards below Beaver Falls Bridge. (The body got hung up on some wood, river right.) It is a short swim, but he was motionless with no air for 5-10 minutes. The victim never showed signs of life and had much water in his body.
Two people did good CPR immediately for ~15 minutes until the paramedics arrived. The swim from the Lodo Wave through Beaver Falls is difficult, but not impossible. Lots of people flip here and have a bad swim through this part according to us residents below Beaver Falls. The flow at the Granite gauge was 1580 cfs ~14 miles upstream--but not much inflow between. This is strong flow. The BV whitewater park technically ends at Lodo Wave, but it is hard to get out here so most people continue down through Beaver Falls rapid down to the bridge where there are eddies.
The bottom of the BV play park is dangerous. Lot's of carnage. Difficult swim. This was bound to happen and it will happen again.
Kayaker dies on Arkansas River south of Buena Vista after boat capsizes
June 7, 2025
A kayaker was pronounced dead after capsizing from a kayak while paddling on the Arkansas River Friday afternoon south of Buena Vista. Even though lifesaving CPR efforts were performed on the 35-year-old man, a bystander and paramedics were unable to revive the man.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) rangers from the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), along with Chaffee County EMS, Chaffee County Fire and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call around 3:15 p.m. The call was in response to CPR in progress after two private boaters in inflatable kayaks capsized their crafts on a trip down the Arkansas River. One kayaker was fortunately able to swim to shore, however, the other became unconscious after capsizing their kayak.
A bystander followed the victim using their own kayak and eventually pulled the victim to shore above Johnsons Village, approximately 2 miles south of Buena Vista. Once ashore, the bystander began CPR and called 911.
CPW officials said resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the 35-year-old man was pronounced deceased on scene by the Chaffee County Coroner. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim,” Tom Waters, AHRA park manager said. “This appears to be a tragic accident.”
Waters noted both kayakers had appropriate safety equipment for this section of whitewater, including dry suits, personal flotation devices and helmets. CPW said the water temperature at the time of the drowning was 52 degrees, the river was running at 1,780 cubic feet per second. Waters urged the public to check conditions by calling the AHRA office before entering the river and to consider using a commercial rafting company if they are unfamiliar with the area or conditions.
Kayaker Who Drowned on the Arkansas Identified
Nick Smith, the Colorado Springs Gazette
June 11, 2025
The 35-year-old man who died after his kayak capsized on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista Friday has been identified by the Chaffee County Coroner. Ethan Sandoval was on the river with another person until their inflatable kayaks capsized while going downstream. Sandoval became unconscious after capsizing in the frigid water, and the other kayaker swam to shore. According to the Mountain Mail, Sandoval was an Arizona resident.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife stated in a Saturday news release that the kayakers had appropriate safety equipment, including dry suits, personal flotation devices and helmets. The agency said the water temperature was 52 degrees, and the river was running at 1,780 cubic feet per second — a water flow well above the typical volume but commonly seen during the peak runoff times of June and July, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
