River search continues for missing woman

MINERAL COUNTY— On Saturday, June 15 at 8:33 p.m., Mineral County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a female from Colorado Springs was standing on a rock overlooking the river when she fell into the south fork of the Rio Grande on Wolf Creek Pass, near mm 175.5 on HWY 160.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue and Emergency Management personnel were dispatched to the location, where they were assisted by Rio Grande Sheriff’s Department and South Fork Fire Rescue in conducting the initial search. First responder personnel searched the area until midnight without success in locating the missing female.

The search continued the following day, Sunday, June 16 with Mineral County resources assisted by South Fork Fire Rescue and Colorado State Patrol in the search for the missing female.

Whitewater rescue subject matter experts from "The Adventure Company" out of Buena Vista, searched with Mineral County resources on Monday, June 17, but still have not been able to locate her.

 The area of the south fork of the Rio Grande where the female fell into the river is best described as a narrow, deep and extremely rugged waterway. This combined with sustained dangerous high water levels and exceptionally turbid water has made this search very difficult.  Inclement weather has further complicated the search.

Mineral County will continue to coordinate with neighboring agencies while continuing this search. Updates to follow.