Miraculous River Rescue in Colorado by Two Good Samaritans Saves Family of Three
In an inspiring act of bravery, two strangers from Moab, Utah, became unexpected heroes in Grand County.
This remarkable story of a life-saving rescue unfolded on the Colorado River last Thursday, proving that sometimes, being at the right place at the right time can make all the difference. The heroic duo was able to rescue a drowning family of three, reinforcing the importance of community vigilance.
Daniel Wright / Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue
The harrowing incident occurred on June 6 when a 40-year-old father and his two sons, aged 8 and 10, found themselves in trouble while navigating whitewater upstream from a bustling beach near Mile Marker 6 on Highway 128. Their inflatable kayak tipped over, plunging them into the treacherous current. Gaar Lausman, one of the two heroic bystanders, quickly jumped into action, using his paddleboard to reach the struggling boys.
“I saw the kids floating downstream, one of them was face down, appearing to be in distress,” recounted Eric Odenthal, the second rescuer who saw the accident unfold from the shore.
The 10-year-old boy’s belt-pack personal flotation device (PFD) had activated, causing him to flip face-down in the water. The younger boy’s PFD was oversized, failing to keep his head above water. Lausman was successful in getting both boys safely on his paddleboard, but their father was being swept away by the strong current, necessitating further action.
