Woman dies in rafting accident on Poudre River

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, at approximately 12:55 p.m., the Larimer County Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Center received multiple reports of an empty commercial river raft in the Poudre River. Callers reported that the raft was located near the Greyrock Trailhead on Highway 14. Nearby raft riders urged passersby to call 911.

During the response, rescuers learned that an accident had occurred involving a group from a local rafting company. An adult female was injured when the raft struck a bridge pillar. When rescuers arrived, she was resuscitated on the river bank. All other members of the group were out of the water and uninjured. A UCHealth ambulance took the injured woman to a hospital. Unfortunately, she was later pronounced dead. Her identity and cause of death will be released at a later date by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office.

“This is a tragic loss that deeply affects the family and our entire community,” said Captain Tim Keeton, who heads the Division of Emergency Services. “We will continue to support their family during the difficult days ahead. Thank you to our dispatchers, sheriff’s deputies, emergency services personnel, medical teams, victim advocates and partner agencies for their work during this incredibly difficult operation.”

Responding crews included LCSO Patrol and EMS, Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District, and UCHealth ambulance. The raft became lodged in the pylon during the accident and may be visible until it can be safely removed.