An adult man has been reported missing by fellow boaters after he jumped into the Gunnison River near Whitewater on Tuesday (September 2).

UPDATE: (9:00 p.m. September 3) An extensive search by boat, swimmers, and spotters  from Mesa County Search and Rescue and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office failed to locate the missing man who has now been identified as Rick Beaty, 59-years-old and a resident of Grand Junction.

Sheriff Deputies were also unable to find evidence Beaty had self rescued along the river bank. The search was suspended around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and will resume on Thursday (September 4).

 

According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, the report came in around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday (September 2). The people who were boating with the man told Sheriff Deputies he was not wearing a life jacket when he jumped into the river.

Several people boating with the man contacted authorities and unsuccessfully searched for the man.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Department along with Mesa County Search and Rescue also searched for the missing man, but as of 7:40 p.m. had not been able to locate him.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

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