A tragic incident that occurred at Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado has claimed the life of Michael Harp, a dedicated 27-year veteran of the Salt Lake City Fire Department. Harp, who was 54 years old, was part of a private permitted rafting trip on the Green River in the Canyon of Lodore when the accident took place around 4 p.m. on a Thursday.
The U.S. National Park Service reported that Harp’s raft became stuck on a rock in the rapid known as Hells Half Mile, leading to him being believed to be pinned under the raft. Despite efforts to dislodge the boat from the rock, Harp was unresponsive and drifted downriver. Although he had been wearing a life jacket, he had lost it by the time the group managed to unpin the boat.
Following the incident, River Patrol Rangers initiated a search for Harp, and his body was discovered around 10 river miles downstream by guides from the commercial rafting company Adrift the next morning. His body was then airlifted to the Moffat County coroner for further examination.
Harp, a resident of Sandy, Utah, came from a family of firefighters and had followed in his father’s footsteps to become a fire captain in the Salt Lake City Fire Department. The department paid tribute to Harp’s dedication to service, noting his deployment to Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. His colleagues remembered him as a leader who embodied compassion and brought laughter wherever he went.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department’s social media post honoring Harp’s legacy highlighted his commitment to serving both the community and his fellow firefighters. His impact on those around him was profound, and his memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Dinosaur National Monument, spanning 210,000 acres across Colorado and Utah, is renowned for its dinosaur fossils and picturesque rivers. While visitors flock to see the preserved fossils, whitewater enthusiasts are drawn to the challenging rapids of the Green and Yampa rivers that wind through the monument’s stunning canyons.
In the days leading up to the tragic accident, the NPS reported that flow rates in the Canyon of Lodore section of the Green River averaged 4,700 cubic feet per second. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of outdoor activities and the importance of safety precautions when venturing into natural environments.