Authorities they were called at 5:49 p.m. when a family saw a man floating in the fast-moving waters near Boyd Park. To ensure a pleasurable experience and protect the Animas River Greenway, please read and follow these river user guidelines: Be Safe - It is recommended that river users wear a Coast Guard Approved life vest. Patrick Southworth, 61, of Ballston Lake, New York, is believed to have inhaled water after the shock of falling into the cold river at the Durango Whitewater Park around 10 a.m. Saturday, The Durango Herald reported Wednesday. The Animas River in Southwest Colorado near Durango offers a variety of white water rafting for all ages and abilities. User Guidelines. David Spaeth and his wife Olya walk with their baby Aidan along the Animas River Trail on April 15, 2019 in Durango. Try the Lower Animas for families and first-timers or the Upper Animas for some of the most exciting and scenic Colorado white water rafting you can find. DURANGO — Officials say fish populations in a Colorado river have been severely depleted due to suffocation caused by debris from a 2018 wildfire.GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. FARMINGTON -- Police have identified the man who drowned on Labor Day in the Animas River as Benjamin Armstrong, a 40-year-old Bloomfield resident. What was supposed to be a fun family adventure turned deadly at Corner Pocket in June 2015. Helmets and secure foot gear are also recommended for individual crafts. FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) – Police are investigating the death of a Farmington man. DURANGO | An autopsy has determined a tourist died as a result of drowning while rafting on Colorado’s Animas River.. Patrick Southworth, 61, of Ballston Lake, New York, is believed to have inhaled water after the shock of falling into the cold river at the Durango Whitewater Park around 10 a.m. Saturday, The Durango Herald reported Wednesday. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.The fire burned an estimated 84 square miles of mostly U.S. Forest Service land in the Hermosa Creek watershed in southwest Colorado.State wildlife officials say heavy rains and flooding from July to September 2018 caused the runoff.Officials say there was a 95% decline from the river’s historical average of fish longer than 14 inches.The Durango Herald reported Saturday that Animas River fish populations are down about 80% due to runoff filled with ash from the 416 fire.The first full-scale Colorado Parks and Wildlife survey conducted since then found a 64% decline from the river’s historical average amount of trout. Thousands of fish have been found dead in the Animas River after heavy rains flushed debris and ash from the 416 fire into the waterway. La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said she believes the combination of shock and water inhalation resulted in Southworth’s death relatively soon after he entered the water, explaining why he was seen unconscious moments after falling out of the raft.The couple traveled to Durango for the weekend to go rafting and horseback riding, Malinoski said.Despite attempts to revive Southworth, he was pronounced dead at Mercy Regional Medical Center.Mountain Waters Rafting conducted the river trip. Police on June 12 identified the man as David Lee, 51, of Shiprock. Co-owner James Wilkes said Southworth was wearing a personal flotation device and every safety precaution was taken.Southworth and his wife, Patti, worked as hospital pharmacists on Navajo Nation lands in New Mexico, said Matt Malinoski, Southworth’s son-in-law.Patrick Southworth, 61, of Ballston Lake, New York, is believed to have inhaled water after the shock of falling into the cold river at the Durango Whitewater Park around 10 a.m. Saturday, The Durango Herald reported Wednesday.Durango Police Cmdr. Ray Shupe said no charges are expected as a result of Southworth’s death.“It’s just a really sad accident, and there’s no one to blame,” Wilkes said. It’s an action-packed stretch of the Animas River, where whitewater turbulence comes in five back-to-back rapids: Smelter Wave, Corkscrew, Corner Pocket, Ponderosa and Clocktower. Police identify man in Animas River death. Photo courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The Animas is a freestone fishery well populated with rainbow, brown, Colorado River cutthroat, and brook trout. ... San Juan County emergency personnel were dispatched at 5:07 p.m. Monday to the Animas River near County Roads 2626 and 2900 after receiving reports Winer had fallen into the river. The Animas river is a major white water rafting attraction accounting for 8.9% of Colorado's commercial rafting market while annually generating 45,411 commercial user days and direct expenditures of $5,207,033 (2011 est). Emily Winer is pictured in this undated courtesy photo.
It’s where Paul Newman and Robert Redford jump from a cliff into a river in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” (Through editing, they land in a different river, not the Animas…
"Again have the treacherous waters of the Animas River laid their icy hands on one of Durango's noble young men and stilled his heart in death. DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — An autopsy has determined a tourist died as a result of drowning while rafting on Colorado’s Animas River. By The Associated Press | September 22, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.