DENVER ( KDVR ) — A BASE jumper crashed near U.S. 6 in Clear Creek County on Sunday, breaking his arm in the process and closing the road during rescue operations, according to the Arvada Fire Protection District.
The roadway was closed from Highway 119 to Highway 93 in both directions as of 8 p.m. as first responders worked to access the crash site, which was on the south side of Clear Creek, away from the roadway.
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The closure represents about 11.5 miles of closed roadway and includes at least Tunnels 2 and 3 on the roadway, stretching from Golden to near the border with Gilpin County. The Colorado State Patrol confirmed with FOX31 it was assisting with the operation.
BASE jumping refers to recreationally jumping from a fixed object , like a cliff, and then using a parachute to descend to the ground. Some BASE jumpers delay opening their parachute or wingsuit, creating an optional freefall period, but due to jumping from a low-altitude object, the activity is considered significantly more dangerous than parachuting.