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

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

At approximately 2:05 p.m. Saturday, Pitkin County dispatch received a call about a whitewater incident near Basalt Whitewater Park on the Roaring Fork River, according to a news release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office Saturday. 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 the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was later pronounced dead, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. His identity has not yet been released.

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

The number of water-related deaths is already higher than in the same period last year, and more than four people have died or disappeared in water-related accidents since May 30.

Whitewater rafters should be aware of rapidly changing river conditions. Current conditions on the Roaring Fork River, which is nearing crest, are extremely dangerous, according to the release.