PORTLAND, COLORADO – A private tubing trip down the Arkansas River turned fatal on Saturday when a man in his mid-thirties was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred east of Portland in Fremont County, drawing a swift response from multiple emergency agencies.
Around 11 a.m., Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) rangers received a distress call reporting a man receiving CPR along the riverbank. Responders from Florence EMS, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the Fremont County Coroner, and CPW quickly mobilized to the location a few miles downstream of Portland.
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The tubing group, consisting of seven individuals, entered the river near Portland with plans to float to a campsite on private land downstream. During the journey, the group became separated, and the victim was reported to have fallen off his innertube into the water.
A nearby fisherman noticed the man in the river, brought him to shore, and initiated CPR with the help of others. Despite their efforts, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful, and the man was pronounced dead on the scene by Fremont County medical staff. Notably, no personal flotation device was found on or near the victim.
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“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim,” expressed Tom Waters, AHRA park manager.
The Fremont County Coroner has taken custody of the body to determine the cause of death, confirm the man’s identity, and notify his next of kin. This tragic incident contributes to a growing concern, as Colorado is on pace to exceed the record 42 water-related fatalities recorded in 2022.
For safety tips on boating and tubing, please visit CPW’s Boating Safety page.
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