FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Authorities have called off future large-scale search operations for a missing rafter in the Poudre River.
On Saturday, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a group of three rafters were in the Poudre River after their inflatable raft came out from under them between mile markers 107 and 108 on Highway 14. Two of the rafters were able to make it out of the river but were separated from the third rafter, identified as 57-year-old David Smith of Fort Collins.
Using a ground team and drones, crews from multiple agencies spent the weekend searching a 12-mile stretch of the river, but they did not find Smith. The search was called off at about 3 p.m. Sunday, and no further large-scale search operations are planned unless new information becomes available about Smith’s location, according to a news release from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was last seen wearing blue jeans and no shirt. The sheriff’s office said they would continue to keep his family updated with any new information.
At least eight people have died in Colorado waters this season. Larimer County authorities are warning the public that waters are running high and fast. The sheriff’s office has river safety information on its website.