Rafter Dies In Colorado River After Boating Accident

South Carolina man dies in Colorado River
Date: June 10, 2011
Contact: Maureen Oltrogge, 928-638-7779

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Park Rangers from Grand Canyon National Park recovered the body of 39 year-old James J. Waring Jr., of Lexington, South Carolina yesterday following a boating accident on the Colorado River.

Mr. Waring was part of a six person private river trip that launched from Lees Ferry on Sunday, June 5 with a scheduled take out at Pearce Ferry on June 22. Early reports indicate that the group of six was traversing Hance Rapid at River Mile 76, when one of two row boats, carrying three people, flipped. One person swam to shore, a second was able to stay with the boat and eventually make it back to shore, and the third, Mr. Waring, was carried down river.

A passing commercial trip operated by Hatch River Expeditions, located Mr. Waring face-down in the water below Hance Rapid. Mr. Waring was pulled from the water and CPR was administered for 45 minutes before he was pronounced dead by a physician on scene.

Boatmen from the Hatch trip contacted the National Park Service via satellite phone shortly after pulling Mr. Waring from the water.

Mr. Waring's body was flown by National Park Service helicopter to the South Rim Helibase yesterday afternoon, then later transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner and transported to Flagstaff, Arizona.

An investigation will be conducted by the National Park Service. There are no additional details at this time.

Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Rafter Dies In Colorado River After Boating Accident

Rangers recovered the body of 39-year-old James J. Waring Jr., of Lexington, South Carolina, last Thursday following a boating accident on the Colorado River. Waring was part of a six-person private river trip that launched from Lees Ferry on Sunday, June 5th, with a scheduled take out at Pearce Ferry on June 22nd. Early reports indicate that they were traversing Hance Rapid when one of two row boats flipped, dumping the three occupants into the river. One person swam to shore and a second was able to stay with the boat and eventually make it back to shore, but Waring was carried downriver. A passing commercial trip operated by Hatch River Expeditions found him face down in the water below Hance Rapid. He was pulled from the river and CPR was conducted for 45 minutes before an on-scene physician pronounced him dead. The body was recovered and flown to the South Rim. An investigation is underway.