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Swift Waters Claim 3 Lives In Colorado Over Weekend

DENVER (CBS4)- Swift water in Colorado claimed three lives over the weekend in Colorado, with one man still missing. Authorities are urging everyone to stay out of rushing rivers and creeks.

Moments before jumping into the Arkansas River in Pueblo late Sunday morning, Steven Kelly of Parker posted a video on Facebook.

"Here we have a little tide. Check it out, it's going quick," said Kelly, 23. "Looks very doable. I'm gonna do it."

One day later, park rangers found Kelly's body after his tube broke away in the swift water and he drowned.

"This is a very dangerous situation because again, what we see on top is not what's underneath," said Denver Fire Dept. Capt. Greg Pixley.

PLATTE TUBERS RESCUE 10PKG
Crews searching the South Platte River (credit: CBS)

The water has been rushing so quickly in part because weeks of continuous rain have left the ground saturated and snowmelt in Colorado's high country has started to increase as temperatures rise.

Since Saturday, three people have died in Colorado's fast running rivers. One man remains missing.

Joe Goodwin of Littleton is still missing after tubing on the South Platte River on Saturday. After several hours of searching, crews with Denver Fire called off their search for Goodwin, 20, as the water became too dangerous for rescuers.

"It's very dangerous, they get thrown around, the water itself is overwhelming to them even with their training and equipment available to them," said

On Monday afternoon, rescue teams pulled the body of a 34-year-old man from Denver from the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument.

Many counties and parks have restricted water use due to the extreme conditions. Officials in Denver recommend avoiding swift water altogether.

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