Four people were rescued Saturday by the Pueblo Fire Department after their boats capsized in the Arkansas River just below City Park.
Firefighters were called to the scene by a bystander and launched a life raft and rapid water rescue team, resulting in the safe recovery of all four individuals, according to department spokesman Tim Trujillo.
All four people were adults and all were wearing life jackets, Trujillo said. High water currents caused their inflatable boats to capsize.
Trujillo stated that the public is asked to avoid that part of the river in the coming weeks due to dangerous water conditions.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has also urged the public to avoid the Arkansas River below the Lake Pueblo State Park Dam due to dangerous conditions.
Recent spring runoff and heavy rainfall have caused river flows in the area to fluctuate dramatically, creating dangerous water surges.
The city of Pueblo also temporarily closed a portion of the Arkansas River Trail below City Park on Friday due to “increased water flow and high tides.” The trail closure ranges from Carlile Avenue to the north past Reservoir Drive.
“We want to inform the public of the closure,” said Steven Meier, director of Pueblo Parks and Recreation, in a news release, “and remind everyone that this is the time of year when the river is flowing high and there is always attentive.”
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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Four people rescued after boats capsize in Arkansas River in Pueblo
