Search and rescue teams in Garfield County have suspended until Friday morning their search for a man who was swimming in the Colorado River east of Rifle Thursday afternoon.
The man was reported to be in trouble in the water just after 3 p.m. Thursday.
Four young adults were swimming and swinging on a rope swing. When the man who is now missing fell into the water on his side, witnesses believe he had the “wind knocked out of him,” according to a release from the Garfield County Sheriff’s office.
The other people who were with the man attempted to rescue him but the man panicked and the other swimmers were unable to hold onto him, the sheriff’s office said.
None of the four swimmers were wearing lifevests or other flotation devices.
Responders lined the river trying to spot the man, and search teams also went in the water with no luck.
The rescue is now being called a recovery effort.
Crews stopped the search for the night at 8 p.m. and will continue Friday morning. A dive team from Summit County is expected to join the efforts Friday.
The missing man has not been identified.
