Paddleboarder Swept, Killed In Arkansas River

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CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Emergency crews pulled a man's body out of the Arkansas River after he was seen floating downriver on Saturday. Multiple people tried getting to him before high water swept him downstream.

Officials say a boater tried getting to the body near the Wilderness Aware Center.

Arkansas River (credit: Facebook/Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce)

Crews and a boater finally pulled the man out of the water at the River Runners Center. Michael James, 40, was pronounced dead just before 6 p.m.

The man from Boulder was paddleboarding before he fell.

Details about whether James was wearing protective gear were not released.