Kayaker who died on the Arkansas River Friday identified as Arizona resident
The 35-year-old man who died after his kayak capsized on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista Friday has been identified by the Chaffee County Coroner.
Ethan Sandoval was on the river with another person until their inflatable kayaks capsized while going downstream. Sandoval became unconscious after capsizing in the frigid water, and the other kayaker swam to shore.
According to the Mountain Mail, Sandoval was an Arizona resident.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife stated in a Saturday news release that the kayakers had appropriate safety equipment, including dry suits, personal flotation devices and helmets.
The agency said the water temperature was 52 degrees, and the river was running at 1,780 cubic feet per second — a water flow well above the typical volume but commonly seen during the peak runoff times of June and July, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.