A raft accident on the San Miguel River Tuesday morning caused a Texas woman to go overboard, triggering a dramatic rescue and CPR by a guide to revive her, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.
The 52-year-old victim on a trip with RIGS guiding company, of Ridgeway, when the raft hit a rock, sending her and two others into the frigid, fast-moving water.
Two swimmers were pulled back in the boat, but the woman was carried downstream for a half-mile, spending 5-10 minutes in 38-degree water, according to Susan Lilly, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. All passengers were wearing personal flotation devices.
A passenger was able to pull the woman to the boat, and she was lifted in, but was unconscious and still breathing. The guide landed the boat in a “strainer” near a residence and had passengers exit to call 911.
By then the woman had stopped breathing, and the guide performed “two cycles of CPR with rescue breathing” according to the guide’s report to sheriff deputies. The woman began breathing on her own.
Undersheriff Eric Berg, who is also a paramedic, arrived at the scene and provided patient care. The victim was loaded onto an ambulance from Norwood and transported to the Uncompahgre Medical Center to an awaiting helicopter for transport to Montrose Memorial Hospital.
The victim was conscious and alert during EMS transport to the helicopter, Lilly said. In addition to the cold water drowning, the woman was hypothermic with orthopedic trauma. Her name was not released, and she is expected to recover, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the emergency landing of the raft, one passenger got stuck in the strainer and had to be rescued by fellow passengers. No other injuries were reported.
The guide wanted to remain unnamed.
“The river guides did a really good job and knew what they had to do,” said San Miguel Sheriff Bill Masters. “The river is ripping and is pretty tricky with fast water, strainers and rocks.”
RIGS owner Tim Patterson released the following statement: “We train for this extensively and do everything to avoid situations like this. In this case, the guides responded swiftly and professionally to deal with the incident. We are fortunate to have a successful outcome and appreciate their efforts.”
