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Report ID# 3909

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Accident Description

http://www.chaffeecountytimes.com/free_content/article_71f5caa2-0aa9-11e4-9420-001a4bcf6878.html

Second river fatality in two days

Sunday, July 13, 2014

A second whitewater-related boating accident fatality on the Arkansas River in as many days claimed the life of an unidentified man Saturday. The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office reported the accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. July 12 between the Fisherman’s Bridge area and Browns Canyon approximately 8 miles south of Buena Vista. According Undersheriff John Spezze, witnesses who were in the area at the time said they observed an unidentified man become lodged on a rock near Fisherman’s Bridge. The man dislodged his boat and headed for shore. The witnesses continued downriver for approximately 1.5 miles.

A short time later these same witnesses observed an unoccupied kayak floating downstream. They then observed the same unidentified man floating face down behind the kayak. The man was pulled to shore immediately and CPR was administered. Chaffee County EMS arrived a short time later and continued with CPR. However efforts to revive the man were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. He was operating a private kayak not associated with any commercial rafting company. Other agencies assisting in this incident were the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office.

Another kayaker dies on Arkansas River

Allison Sylte

July 12, 2014

CHAFFEE COUNTY – A second kayaker in two days was killed Saturday afternoon on the Arkansas River after his boat became lodged on a rock between Fisherman's Bridge and Browns Canyon – about eight miles south of Buena Vista. Witnesses say the man tried to get out of his boat and head to shore. Witnesses followed him for a mile and a half before they saw the man's body floating behind the kayak. He was pulled to shore, and attempts to revive him via CPR were unsuccessful, according to a news release from the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office. The victim's name has not yet been released. Officials do say that he was not associated with a commercial rafting company.

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