Rafter recovering after river rescue, CPR

A woman from Texas is recovering after being rescued from the cold waters of the San Miguel River in southwestern Colorado.

The San Miguel Sheriff's Office says the 52-year-old woman was one of three passengers who went overboard when a commercial raft hit a rock Tuesday.

Two of the passengers were quickly pulled back into the boat. However, the woman was in the water for between five and 10 minutes and was unconscious when she was lifted out of the river, which is running high because of the spring snow melt.

The guide managed to stop the boat near a home and while the passengers called 911, the guide started CPR.

"The guide told deputies he performed an estimated two cycles of CPR with rescue breathing and the woman started breathing on her own," the sheriff's office said.

She regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital.

"I am thankful I had the training to act quickly and appropriately," the river guide, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

"We train for this extensively and do everything to avoid situations like this," said RIGS (Ridgway Independent Guide Services) owner Tim Patterson. "In this case, the guides responded swiftly and professionally to deal with the incident. We are fortunate to have a successful outcome and appreciate their efforts.”