Father and son drown in rafting accident on Father’s Day – rest in peace

A father and son have died after they were pulled from dangerous waters on the Arkansas River in Pueblo.

Ricardo Valencia Sanchez, 46, and Jose Louis Valencia, 16, of Aurora, were enjoying an afternoon of rafting when the tragedy happened.

The pair had been thrown off the raft and had become trapped in a river hydraulic – when fast-moving water falls over a ledge or rock.

When the raft emerged Ricardo and Jose were entangled in the rope attached to the raft.

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Two people died as the result of a rafting accident this afternoon in the Arkansas River near City Park in Pueblo. They are Ricardo Valencia Sanchez, 46, and Jose Louis Valencia, 16, of Aurora. They are Father and Son.

— Pueblo County Coroner (@CoronerPueblo) June 21, 2020

Police and firefighters were called to the scene and firefighters had to intercept the raft downriver, Fox21 News reports.

The father and son, who were wearing flotation vests, were pulled to shore but both died.

“The low-head dams do definitely represent a danger on the water and a person should never be in or around or near those low-head dams especially during high water levels,” said Pueblo Fire Captain Woody Percival, as per Fox News.

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Tragically, although resuscitative efforts were attempted by PFD and AMR, there were fatalities. The scene is now clear, with no other casualties. When appropriate, the coroner’s office may release further details. #pueblofire

— Pueblo Fire Department (@PFDPIO) June 21, 2020

Our hearts go out to the family of Ricardo and Jose. Such a tragedy. Rest in peace.

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