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4-Year-Old Swept From St. Vrain Creek Dies After Rescue

Authorities say limited cell coverage delayed the emergency call, underscoring how quickly cold, fast-moving Front Range waters can become deadly.

Overview

  • A 4-year-old child was swept from the South St. Vrain Creek and found about 1.5 miles downstream by search teams; the child was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died, officials said.
  • Family members had to flag down a passing driver to reach cell service and call 911, which officials say caused a delay in notifying emergency responders.
  • Multiple agencies joined the search, deploying ground teams, vehicles and drones to search the creek and close nearby roads while the Boulder County Coroner’s Office opened an investigation.
  • Separately, responders recovered a person from a Larimer County canal and transported that person to a hospital in critical condition, showing multiple water emergencies in the same period.
  • Officials urged visitors to wear properly fitted Coast Guard–approved life jackets, plan for areas without cell service, and heed Colorado Parks and Wildlife guidance on cold-water risks and rapid currents.