(FREMONT COUNTY, Colo.) — Several rafters were rescued from the Arkansas River after their raft initially overturned, before becoming flooded and trapping two of the rafters above a rapid.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), on the evening of July 27, CPW officers responded to a report of three rafters in distress on the Arkansas River above Maytag rapid near Cañon City. The raft initially overturned and ejected all three rafters, though they managed to get the raft back upright and climb back aboard. All three were wearing life jackets, CPW said.
Unfortunately, the rafters had lost one of their oars, and were unable to steer toward the shore as they approached the next rapid. The rafters dropped an anchor to try and slow the boat, however the anchor became stuck in the rocks and pulled the rear of the raft beneath the river’s surface, once again filling it with water.
As the raft became submerged, one of the rafters was ejected again and the remaining oar was lost downstream. The rafter who was ejected managed to swim through the rapid and made it to the south shore, though the remaining two people on the raft were hesitant to try and swim so close to the next rapid, CPW said.
The group used satellite texting to call for help, and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office dispatch alerted CPW of the incident just before 6:30 p.m.
With limited daylight remaining, CPW said Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Park Ranger and Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Jeff Hammond responded alongside the Tallahassee Fire Protection District, Colorado State Patrol, and Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. They found the one rafter safe on shore and the two others still trapped on the raft. The rafters had suffered minor scrapes but were otherwise unharmed, CPW said.
With a plan in place, CPW said rescuers rigged a line to the rear of the raft, released the anchor, and swung the raft to shore above the rapid, safely bringing the remaining two boaters to shore just after 8 p.m.
Those rescued included two first responders and an EMT who were recreating in the area from out of town.
“We felt safe, taken care of, and respected throughout the rescue, which is meaningful considering we weren’t trained for boating in fast water,” said the rescued EMT. “We wanted to take a nice fishing trip; it was fine until the current sent us sideways into a huge rock. Our life vests literally saved our lives. The water wasn’t two or three feet, as we had just been in, it was 15 feet deep and we all struggled to get to the top; it was scary.”
According to Hammond, the incident demonstrated the importance of always wearing a life jacket in whitewater and not exceeding the limits of your training or your equipment.
“This type of thing doesn’t happen to everyone else, it can happen to you, and it happens fast,” said the rescued EMT. “My recommendation: think before you go into any body of water and wear your life vest – it will save your life. Most importantly, set aside your ego and call 911 if you get in a bind; first responders just want you safe. I’ll always think of [our rescuers] and smile. I thank them all for saving our lives.”
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