Authorities said Sunday that the search for a Nebraska woman who fell into Beaver Creek has turned into a recovery mission.
Mary Brake, 56, from Lincoln, Neb., fell into the swift-moving creek Friday after the horse she was riding lost its footing.
The horse was later found with minor injuries, but there was no sign that Brake made it out of the water, Eagle County sheriff’s spokeswoman Shannon Cordingly said. After more than 24 hours in the water, rescuers assume she is no longer alive.
Cordingly said the high, fast-moving water has kept searchers from checking parts of the creek for Brake.
Brake was riding with a group that included her husband and daughter Bayley, 9, on their way to Beano’s Cabin, an upscale restaurant that is only accessible by horseback, wagon or foot.
A letter was issued by Brake’s family, in which she was described as “an amazing woman.” It went on to thank all those who have helped in the rescue and retrieval operation.
“We know those searching on the mountain are here out of the goodness of their hearts, risking their own lives and chance of injury, to bring Mary back to us.”
Brake was a prominent real estate agent in Lincoln.
Her husband is Gene Brake, president of HomeServices of Nebraska, which owns Lincoln’s dominant real estate firms — Home Real Estate and Woods Bros. Realty.
Brake also had two sons and was the oldest of eight children, her family said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
