Texas woman dies in Chaffee County rafting accident

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office says a 57-year-old woman from Texas died Thursday when she was thrown from a raft on the Arkansas River.

The accident happened around noon at the Pine Creek Rapids, a class 5 rapid located 14 miles north of Buena Vista.

Witnesses said the guide fell from the raft as it entered the rapid. They said the raft continued downstream for a short distance and became lodged in a large suck hole.

The boat rotated and threw several people into the river. Everyone swam to shore except the victim.

Mary Johnson was from Dallas.

A kayaker pulled her out of the water and CPR was administered immediately, but unfortunately she didn’t make it.

The sheriff’s office says the raft was owned by Timberline Tours.