Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release; June 28, 2017
On 06/27/17 at 2:27 pm the Chaffee County Communications Center was contacted in regards to a male who had fallen from a raft in Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River. According to the caller the male had been retrieved from the river in the area of the Widow maker rapids, a class 3 section of water, and CPR was being administered to the victim. Members of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Chaffee County search and rescue, Salida Fire Swift Water Rescue and Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to the scene.

Upon arrival rescuers contacted parties who were on a private raft trip who stated they were in the area of the Widow Maker rapids when the victim fell from the raft. After a short distance the male was retrieved and CPR was immediately started. Chaffee County EMS, Chaffee Fire and Chaffee Search and Rescue North located the victim and CPR was continued. After attempts to revive the victim failed the victim was pronounced dead at the scene,

The Chaffee County Coroner and took possession of the victim who was then transported to Salida.

Identity of the victim will be made available to the public after family is located and notified.