Search and rescue teams swarmed to the Dolores River south of Rico on Monday evening to search for two boys who had fallen out of a raft in swift water.
The teenagers, both 17, were found safe along the shore about a half-hour into the search. They were on a family vacation from Arizona and were staying at a local cabin.
The incident occurred around mile marker 40 of Colorado Highway 145, downstream of Ryman Creek. The swimmers were wearing life jackets, according to rescue reports. A third person also fell out the raft but quickly got to shore.
A ground search was launched along the banks of the river, and first responders were positioned at bridges at Roaring Fork, Hillside Drive and the West Fork.
Local emergency responders included Montezuma County Search and Rescue, Dolores Fire Department, Rico Fire Department and the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office.
Searchers found an empty raft, then saw that the two swimmers had made it to shore on the bank opposite of the highway. A rescue raft was deployed, and the boys brought back across the river and reunited with their family.
“Everybody was fine, and it was a good response by local emergency crews,” said Sheriff Steve Nowlin.
The section of river where the mishap occurred was flowing above 1,000 cubic feet per second and was under a flood warning Monday by the National Weather Service.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com