June 2, 2024 CLARIFICATION: Original reports were that this incident occurred in the Gore Canyon, however responders have since confirmed that this took place in the Yarmony Rapids area of the Colorado River and search efforts were conducted in the rapids and further downstream.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2024
RAFTING ACCIDENT ON COLORADO RIVER IN GORE CANYON
GRAND COUNTY, CO- On Saturday, June 1, 2024, at approximately 3:40 p.m. the Grand County Communications Center received a text to 911 reporting a subject that was not breathing on the Colorado River in the Gore Canyon, South West of Kremmling.
Grand County Search and Rescue, Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Grand County Emergency Medical Services, Bureau of Land Management, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle County Paramedics, Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District, and Vail Mountain Rescue initially responded to the area due to the report being on the Grand / Eagle County line. Further reports from the scene received by a Garmin device reported that there had been a rafting accident and that bystander CPR was in progress on an adult male, who was later pronounced deceased by EMS personnel.
Additionally, there was another male subject who was still missing following the accident after the raft capsized. Emergency responders utilized additional rafts, ground crews, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and a Union Pacific Railroad Hi-Rail to search the river and surrounding area for the missing subject, however, were unable to locate him.
The deceased was a 56-year-old man from the Denver-Metro area who was transported to the Grand County Coroner’s Office and the identity, cause and manner of death will be released when appropriate. The missing person is identified as a 61-year-old male from the Denver-Metro area whose identity is not being released at this time, pending notification of his immediate family. Preliminary reports were that neither subject was wearing a personnel flotation device (PFD). A third individual from this group was able to safely exit the river and has been accounted for.
Bureau of Land Management River Rangers will be conducting additional searches on Sunday, June 2. Anyone rafting in the area is encouraged to be vigilant and call or text 911 with any additional information or sightings.
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