Man Pulled Out Of South Platte River May Have Been Trying To Rescue Dog
DENVER (CBS4) - A man in his 70s was pulled from the South Platte River in Denver on Tuesday morning.
The Denver Fire Department said the man fell in the water just after 11 a.m. at Confluence Park off of 15th Street in LoDo. Firefighters rushed to the area with several units to search the rushing water.
"He was traveling with the current so he was coming along at a pretty good clip," Melissa Taylor with the Denver Fire Department said.
Crews spotted the man several times and pulled him out about 2 miles down river near 35th Avenue and Arkins Court just after 11: 30 a.m.
The man wasn't conscious when he was pulled from the water. He's been listed in critical condition.
Passersby called 911 when they saw him struggling in the river. One person jumped in to save him but couldn't and was able to safely return to shore.
"We really appreciate the assistance of good Samaritans, but we certainly are glad we don't have two victims today as opposed to just one patient," Taylor said.
The man may have been attempting to rescue his dog from the river.
"Initial reports are that he went in after his dog," Taylor said.
A dog hasn't been found in connection with the incident.
The South Platte River has been rushing with extremely high water levels since May.
"The current is strong and in the areas where it looks to be not that strong the undertow is such that it really is creating a hazard for people when they're going into the water," Taylor said.
The man's name hasn't been released.