By John Livingston
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and its partners at the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a boating collision Saturday, July 6, at Navajo State Park that left one person dead and another in critical condition.
The incident occurred around 2:30pm Saturday at Navajo State Park near Windsurf Beach. Initial reports are that a vessel collided with an inflatable tube carrying three passengers being towed behind another vessel.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Another was airlifted to a local hospital. A third passenger was uninjured.
“Multiple 911 calls came in from other parties on the two vessels and were quickly relayed to our rangers,” said Park Ranger Mitchell Ramm. “The call came to us at 2:33pm, and I was on the scene shortly after and found the two victims. The Southern Ute Police Department also responded to help. We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the victims.”
Ages of the two victims were not immediately available.
The body of the deceased victim was turned over to the Archuleta County Coroner to make identification and an official determination of the cause of death. Any further information about the victim will be released by the coroner.
CPW Marine Investigators are en route to Navajo State Park. Ramm noted the victims were wearing personal floatation devices.
The park, its campgrounds and marinas remain open. Windsurf Beach was temporarily closed but has since reopened. The waters around the scene of the incident are temporarily closed to allow for the ongoing investigation.
No more information is available at this time.
John Livingston is Southwest Region Public Information Officer, Colorado Parks & Wildlife.