Rio Grande closed to boats after rafter disappears

Authorities were searching Saturday for a 33-yearold man who has not been seen since his raft overturned Thursday in the Rio Grande. The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office closed the river Friday to all boating because of turbulent water and the search.

Zach Jones, a Creede resident, went missing at 12:40 p.m. Thursday, said Stasha Rice, spokeswoman for Mineral County. He was on a raft with two others, she said, both of whom are safe. Thursday was the first day the river had been open to boaters after a closure because of unsafe water conditions, Rice said. Still, officials advised only experienced boaters should take to the water, Rice said.

Mineral County was using searchers on the banks, searchers in the water and drones, Rice said.