1 man dead, search continues for another man after Colorado River rafting accident in Grand County

Tara Alatorre
Sky Hi News
Share this story
Officials are still looking for a missing man after a Colorado River rafting accident. One man was pronounced dead on the scene and another individual was able to safely exit the river. Search operations were conducted Saturday and Sunday and the area will continued to be monitored and searched.
Screenshot-2024-06-02-at-7.27.12-PM

Grand County officials announced Saturday that an adult male died after a rafting accident in the Yarmony Rapids of the Colorado River and another man is still missing. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said search operations continued Sunday but the 61-year-old man, identified as Thomas Russell from Littleton, remains missing.

First responders received a report Saturday at approximately 3:40 p.m. that bystanders were performing CPR on man involved in a rafting accident, according to a press release. The 56-year-old Aurora man, who has been identified as Brent Boulter by the Grand County Coroner’s Office, was pronounced dead by Grand County EMS when crews arrived on scene.

River rangers from the Bureau of Land Management and an officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted searches Sunday by raft and kayak from Radium to the Two Bridges area, the press release stated.



Russell was last seen wearing a blue fishing shirt and khaki shorts and he was reportedly not wearing a personal flotation device. A third person was involved in the incident but managed to safely exit the river, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities are urging anyone recreating in the Radium or Rancho Del Rio areas to report any sightings or information by calling or texting 911. Emergency responders will continue to monitor and search the area, the press release stated.



Grand County Search and Rescue, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle County Paramedics, Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District and Vail Mountain Rescue all initially responded to the incident Saturday.

Share this story

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.