74-year-old man transported to hospital after rafts capsize on Roaring Fork River

Earlier Saturday afternoon, numerous emergency responders were on scene in Basalt on Two Rivers Road for capsized rafters.

At about 2:05 p.m., according to a Pitkin County press release, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call for a swift water incident near the Basalt Whitewater Park on the Roaring Fork River. The reporting party stated two boats capsized.

According to Scott Thompson, fire chief for Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, two people were involved in the possible drowning.

Personnel from Roaring Fork Fire and Rescue, Aspen Fire Department, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Basalt Police Department, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Pitkin County Open Space, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded, according to the press release. 

Rescue crews searched the Roaring Fork River from the 7-Eleven bridge to Willits Lane. The rafters were spotted and pulled from the river near the intersection of West Two Rivers Road and Colorado State Highway 82. One rafter, a 61-year-old male, was treated on scene for minor injuries.

“I can tell you that we transported one, CPR in progress, to the hospital,” Thompson said.

This second rafter, a 74-year-old male, was transported to Valley View Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the press release. 

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that whitewater enthusiasts should be aware of the rapidly changing river conditions at this time of year. The river is running near peak levels, and the conditions are extremely dangerous.