Body Found in River Belongs to Missing 11-Year-Old Rafter

Authorities say the body of a boy found in the Arkansas River is that of an 11-year-old from Golden who went missing after falling from a raft.

KCNC-TV reports that Chaffee County coroner on Friday identified the boy as Drake Durkee.

Durkee was thrown into the rushing river north of Salida on Wednesday during a commercial rafting trip.

Searchers scoured the river for his body using underwater cameras, divers and boats.

Chaffee County Sheriff officials say the boy lost his life vest at some point. They are still investigating how.

Sheriff John Spezze says he temporarily closed the river to boaters Friday because crews put ropes across the river while a diver searched the rapids.