Overview
- In the Boulder County case a 4-year-old was swept into South St. Vrain Creek and was found about 1.5 miles downstream after an extensive search; the child was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died.
- In Fort Collins a toddler fell into an active irrigation ditch fed by the Cache la Poudre River, was found downstream by a neighbor who began CPR, was taken to a hospital and later died.
- Both incidents occurred on Tuesday and were separate events that prompted multiagency responses including foot teams, vehicles, drones and swiftwater technicians.
- Boulder authorities said a lack of cell service at the camping area delayed the 911 call and highlighted the use of emergency call boxes, personal locator devices and phone Emergency SOS features as alternatives.
- Officials stressed seasonal water hazards such as high runoff and cold-water shock, investigators are seeking witnesses, and coroners will determine and release the official cause and manner of death.