JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A man celebrating the Fourth of July with his family was killed Thursday afternoon when he fell into the South Platte River, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.

Jorge Ramirez-Flores, 57, of Aurora, was enjoying the Fourth of July with his family on the South Platte River in the Deckers area. He was walking on rocks along the bank when he lost his footing and fell into the water about 4:45 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.

A family member tried to catch him but was carried away by the rushing current.

About two miles downstream, at the Gaskill Bridge connecting Colorado Trail Segments 1 and 2, people spotted his body and pulled it from the water, the sheriff’s office said. He was unconscious. They called for help and tried to revive him.

When North Fork firefighters arrived on scene, they took over medical care of the patient but were unable to save him.

No other details were provided.

In early June, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported an “alarming” number of early-season deaths on rivers and lakes, with 32 water-related deaths reported in 2023 compared to a record 42 water-related deaths in 2022. Fifteen people have died in Colorado waters this year.

Watch our latest report on these tragedies below.

Colorado reports ‘alarming’ number of deaths early in season on rivers, lakes