74-year-old dies after rafts capsize at whitewater park, Colorado rescuers say

Two men were swept away after two rafts capsized at a whitewater park, Colorado rescuers reported.

One of the men, Vilis J. “Butch” Zigurs, 74, of Carbondale, later died of his injuries after being pulled from the Roaring Fork River, the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office reported.

A 61-year-old man who was also swept away at Basalt Whitewater Park at 2:05 p.m. Saturday, June 8, suffered minor injuries, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The park includes two play waves and 1,000 feet of the Roaring Fork River, deputies said.

Rescue crews searched the river downstream and found the two rafters, deputies said. Zigurs was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“The river is running near peak levels and the conditions are extremely dangerous,” deputies warned.

Numerous agencies responded to the accident.

Pitkin County is about a 205-mile drive southwest from Denver.

This story was originally published June 10, 2024 at 2:04 PM with the headline "74-year-old dies after rafts capsize at whitewater park, Colorado rescuers say."