Accident Description

From Baxter Pharr: Sources tell me like the sit on top kayak capsized in Hopscotch Rapid, a Class 4 rapid just downstream from the confluence of Clear Clear of the Arkansas and the Arkansas River. He flipped in the Class II entry water. A woman swam to shore but the man continued downstream and his body was recovered at the Stealth put-in, just downstream from Pine Creek Rapid, a Class 5. The cause of death was flush drowning, not head trauma. The victim was found without a PFD. It sounds like the PFD was found separate from the victim which means he either wasn't wearing it or it was separated from him during the swim.

Summit County man dies in rafting accident

A Summit County man died after he fell into the Arkansas River while rafting with his wife in the Arkansas River north of Buena Vista.

Author: Janet Oravetz

Published: 5:22 AM MDT June 5, 2018

CHAFFEE COUNTY - A Summit County man died after his raft capsized on the Arkansas River north of Buena Vista Monday afternoon, according to a news release from the Chaffee County sheriff's office.

Christian Sheetz, 46, and his wife put their raft in the river at the Clear Creek confluence around 3 p.m., the sheriff's office said. According to witnesses, a short distance downriver their raft overturned and both of them fell into the water. Sheetz's wife safely swam to shore, but he was swept downriver.

Members of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Chaffee Fire, Chaffee County EMS, Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and State Parks and Wildlife all responded to the scene and began search efforts.

Rescuers located Sheetz about 4 hours after he fell into the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Accident Database

Report ID# 31554

Accident Description

Summit County man dies in rafting accident