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Summit County man dies in rafting accident

A Summit County man died after he fell into the Arkansas River while rafting with his wife in the Arkansas River north of Buena Vista.
Credit: KUSA
Water

CHAFFEE COUNTY - A Summit County man died after his raft capsized on the Arkansas River north of Buena Vista Monday afternoon, according to a news release from the Chaffee County sheriff's office.

Christian Sheetz, 46, and his wife put their raft in the river at the Clear Creek confluence around 3 p.m., the sheriff's office said. According to witnesses, a short distance downriver their raft overturned and both of them fell into the water. Sheetz's wife safely swam to shore, but he was swept downriver.

Members of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Chaffee Fire, Chaffee County EMS, Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and State Parks and Wildlife all responded to the scene and began search efforts.

Rescuers located Sheetz about 4 hours after he fell into the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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