Man killed, other injured in rafting accident near Basalt Whitewater Park

One man was killed and another injured in a rafting accident on the Roaring Fork River near Basalt Whitewater Park, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

Saturday around 2:05 p.m., Pitkin County dispatch received a call about a fast water incident near Basalt Whitewater Park on the Roaring Fork River, That’s according to a Saturday press release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. According to the call, two rafts had capsized and two occupants were floating downstream.

Rescue crews searched the Roaring Fork River and pulled the two rafters from the river near the intersection of West Two Rivers Road and Colorado State Highway 82, the release said. One rafter, a 61-year-old man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries and the second rafter, a 74-year-old man, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was later pronounced deceased, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. His identity has not yet been released.

Both men were experienced rafters and it was an unfortunate accident, officials said.

The number of water-related deaths is already higher than this time last year, and more than four people have been killed or missing in water-related accidents since May 30.

Whitewater rafters must be aware of the rapidly changing river conditions. According to the news release, current conditions on the Roaring Fork River, which is nearing its highest level, are extremely dangerous.