41-year-old Man Died on the Arkansas River Near Buena Vista

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reporting that a 41-year-old man died while riding an inner tube over the weekend on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista.

Witnesses told CPW the man entered the Buena Vista whitewater park on an inner tube and was seen in distress a short time later. The man was having a difficult time getting to the shore near the Buena Vista South Main recreation area. Rangers were told that the victim struggled until becoming unresponsive and floating downstream. 

A commercial rafting company downstream was alerted to the situation and an employee was able to get in the water and grab the victim. 

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Park Manager Tom Waters said the emergency medical services staff immediately began CPR, but efforts were not successful. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds people recreating on and in the water to be aware of the dangers before doing so. Excessive snowmelt and rain have increased the velocity of flow on many Colorado rivers. 

This was the 11th water-related death in the state this year.