A child fell from his tube in Boulder Creek and drowned. First responders pulled him from the water, performed CPR, and transported him to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The city urges community members to always use caution when recreating around water, especially during run-off season when waters are high.

Nine-year-old child falls off tube and drowns in Boulder Creek

BOULDER, Colo. On Sunday, June 11, at approximately 4:52 p.m., Boulder police and fire units responded to a 911 call that a nine-year-old child had fallen off his tube in Boulder Creek and was missing. At approximately 5 p.m. first responders saw the child and pulled him from the creek near Broadway and Canyon Boulevard. The first responders administered CPR before transporting him to Boulder Community Hospital. The boy was pronounced dead in the emergency department at 5:41 p.m.

“This is an unspeakable tragedy for everyone involved, especially the boy’s family,” said Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Jeff Long. “All our responders were there - police, fire, medics, our swiftwater crew. We got to him as quickly as possible, and it’s a terrible feeling to not be able to save someone. Especially when that someone is a child.”

“I can’t imagine how terrible this must be for the child’s family, and also our first responder community,” said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold. “Today has been heavy for the City of Boulder, and we are all thinking of the family who just lost their child.”

The child’s parents sustained minor injuries and were also treated by medics at the scene.

The City of Boulder wishes to thank everyone involved in this multi-agency rescue response, including our police and firefighters, swiftwater dive team, American Medical Response, and the Boulder Emergency Squad. We appreciate your dedication and service.

The city urges community members to always use caution when recreating around water, especially during run-off season when waters are high.

— CITY—