long-tailed keyword: Carbondale man rafting incident succumbs
long-tailed keyword: Carbondale man rafting incident death.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Two groups of rafters navigate the Roaring Fork River. A tragic incident claimed the life of a Carbondale man.
A Carbondale resident tragically lost his life after the raft he was in capsized near the Basalt Whitewater Park on a fateful Saturday afternoon.
Vilis J. “Butch” Zigurs, aged 74, was swiftly transported to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs following the incident, which occurred before 2 p.m. Unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital at 3:25 p.m., as per a Sunday news release from Matt Rosett of the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office.
“The cause and manner of death are pending the results of a post-mortem examination,” the release states. The coroner’s office is currently conducting a thorough investigation in collaboration with the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Later on Saturday evening, the sheriff’s office disclosed that emergency dispatchers were alerted at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday regarding a swiftwater incident near the whitewater park, situated on the Roaring Fork River.
“The reporting party indicated that two boats capsized and the two occupants were adrift downstream,” the release disclosed.
Teams 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 promptly responded to the distress call.
Rescue units meticulously combed the Roaring Fork River from the 7-Eleven bridge to Willits Lane. The rafters were successfully located and extricated from the river near the intersection of West Two Rivers Road and Highway 82. One rafter, a 61-year-old gentleman, was treated on-site for minor injuries. The second rafter, a 74-year-old male subsequently identified as Zigurs, was urgently transported to Valley View Hospital with grave injuries.
“The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office underscores the importance for whitewater enthusiasts to remain vigilant of the swiftly changing river conditions during this period. The river is currently flowing at near peak levels, rendering the conditions exceedingly perilous,” the release underscored.
Nestled on the river opposite Basalt’s Elk Run subdivision on Two Rivers Road, the Basalt Whitewater Park features two play waves within a designated 1,000 feet stretch of river.
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Carbondale man succumbs after rafting incident
Carbondale man dies after rafting incident.
