One man is dead, the search for another man continues after rafting accident on the Colorado River

Grand County officials announced that an adult male died in a rafting accident Saturday in the Yarmony Rapids of the Colorado River and another man is still missing. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said search efforts continued Sunday, but the 61-year-old man, identified as Thomas Russell of Littleton, remains missing.

According to a news release, emergency responders received a report around 3:40 p.m. Saturday that bystanders were performing CPR on a man involved in a rafting accident. The 56-year-old Aurora man, identified by the Grand County Coroner’s Office as Brent Boulter, was pronounced dead by Grand County EMS when it arrived at the scene.

The news releases said Bureau of Land Management river rangers and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife official conducted a search by raft and kayak from Radium to the Two Bridges area on Sunday.

Russell was last seen wearing a blue fishing shirt and khaki shorts and was reportedly not wearing a life jacket. A third person was involved in the incident but was able to exit the river safely, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities urge anyone in the Radium or Rancho Del Rio areas to report sightings or information by calling or texting 911. Emergency crews will continue to monitor and search the area, the release said.

Grand County Search and Rescue, 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 incident Saturday.

Tara Alatorre is the editor of Sky-Hi News. Reach her at 970-557-6031 or [email protected].