Weld County emergency crews rescued a family of five from the South Platte River on Monday after evening darkness left the group stranded on a sandbar about 3 1/2 miles west of Gilcrest.
The Platte Valley Fire Protection District sent 11 members of its swiftwater rescue team about 9:30 p.m. after an assistance request from the Platteville Gilcrest fire unit.
Stephanie Cooke, public information officer with the Platte Valley Fire Protection District, said the family — consisting of parents and children ages 14, 9 and 5 — were riding in individual inner tubes along the river toward Evans when limited vision forced the group to stop near Weld County Roads 23 and 40.
All family members were brought to shore within 16 minutes of the swiftwater rescue team’s arrival.
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