Ranger rescues paddleboarder ‘actively drowning’ after wind gust

DENVER (KDVR) — A ranger saved a woman “actively drowning” in Horsetooth Reservoir after a gust of wind pushed her paddleboard away from her.

On Thursday at 11:16 a.m., Poudre Fire Authority said a caller reported a young woman “going under water” in Horsetooth Reservoir after a strong gust of wind separated her from her paddleboard.

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The woman was stand-up paddleboarding when the fire authority said she went into the water just before a squall, or wind gust, picked up and pushed the board out of her reach. She wasn’t wearing a life jacket and was at least 100 yards from the shore.

She was “actively drowning,” cold and exhausted, when a Larimer County ranger was able to pull her out of the water. The fire authority said responders put her into a rescue boat and brought her to shore to be assessed by UCHealth first responders…

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