Boulder kills Silverthorne man along Arkansas River trail

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A 59-year-old Silverthorne man died Tuesday afternoon after a large boulder fell on him along a trail near the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies and detectives responded around 1:40 p.m. on June 23 to the area of County Road 371 near the "Rapid 5 ½ Pullover" after receiving a report that a man had been seriously injured by falling rocks.

Investigators learned two employees of a moving company had stopped at the popular camping and recreation area to eat lunch while traveling through Chaffee County after completing a delivery. The location was reportedly a place the men had stopped at several times before.

According to the sheriff's office, one of the men, identified as Paul Frasch, 59, of Silverthorne, was attempting to walk back up a trail when a large boulder fell on him.

When first responders arrived, they found Frasch trapped beneath what investigators estimated was at least a half-ton boulder. Despite rescue efforts, Frasch died from his injuries at the scene.

The other worker, who called 911, suffered minor injuries to his arms while trying to help Frasch.

The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office said the incident remains under investigation.

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