Stranded rafters rescued by Garfield County Search and Rescue

PRESS RELEASE
May 18, 2022

On Tuesday evening at 6:54 p.m., the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) was notified of four children and two adults whose raft had been pinned on a rock in the Roaring Fork River, about one mile below Ironbridge, near Glenwood Springs, CO. The raft was being held against the rock by the strong current associated with the high water run-off of the Roaring Fork River.

Garfield County Search and Rescue (GCSAR) was called out by the GCSO, arrived on scene, and began operations to rescue the two adults and four children, ages 7, 9, 13, and 14 from the river, and then assist them 70 yards up the steep embankment to safety. Four members of the GCSAR led the operations, along with members of the Glenwood Springs Fire Department (GSFD) and the GCSO.

Deputy Vargas assisted the search and rescue team with its efforts. The team had all six safely out of the river and up the embankment shortly after 9 p.m.

This is a good reminder to everyone how powerful the river waters can be especially as we approach peak flows in both the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers. Even experienced rafters can be caught “off guard” and be stranded. It only takes a few seconds of indecision or inadvertently making a poor choice to wind up in a potentially disastrous situation.

We are thankful for our trained volunteers with the GCSAR, as well as the professionalism demonstrated by the GSFD. Everyone worked in concert to complete the operation as a team.

Find out more about the Garfield County Search and Rescue team by going to its website.