View Full Version : Raft guide arrested after helping stranded rafter on Clear Creek
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15278256
Clear Creek sheriff's deputies on Thursday arrested a rafting guide for swimming to a stranded young rafter who had tumbled from his boat on Clear Creek.
Ryan Daniel Snodgrass, a 28-year-old guide with Arkansas Valley Adventures rafting company, was charged with "obstructing government operations," said Clear Creek Sheriff Don Krueger.
"He was told not to go in the water, and he jumped in and swam over to the victim and jeopardized the rescue operation," said Krueger, noting that his office was deciding whether to file similar charges against another guide who was at the scene just downstream of Kermitts Roadhouse on U.S. 6.
Duke Bradford, owner of Arkansas Valley Adventures, said Snodgrass did the right thing by contacting the 13-year-old Texas girl immediately and not waiting for the county's search and rescue team to assemble ropes, rafts and rescuers.
"When you have someone in sight who has taken a long swim, you need to make contact immediately," said Bradford, a 15-year rafting guide and ski patroller from Summit County. "This is just silly. Ryan Snodgrass acted entirely appropriately. These guys came to the scene late and there was a rescue in progress. They came in and took over an existing rescue. To leave a patient on the side of a river while you get your gear out of the car and set up a rescue system you read about in a book is simply not good policy."
Snodgrass' raft flipped on the runoff-swelled Clear Creek around noon Thursday and the girl swam from the raft. Krueger said the girl was missing for 30 to 45 minutes while Snodgrass searched for her. He said she swam a half mile from the spot where the raft capsized.
Since it had been so long, Krueger said, it was no longer the rafting company's rescue.
"They should involve themselves up to a point. They lost contact. Whether they want to say they were trying to rescue their customer, when they had lost visual contact and had no idea where their customer has been for 30 to 45 minutes, then it becomes our issue."
Bradford said he would expect his guides to do the same thing again. His guides are professionals, he said, trained and certified in swiftwater rescue.
"To jump into water and navigate a river in a swiftwater rescue is common. You get into the river and swim. You have to do it," Branford said. "The fact these guys don't understand that is disturbing. Making contact immediately with your victim is essential. It's not about who is in charge. It's about the safety of a 13-year-old girl. You are going to do everything in your power to insure the safety of your guest, and if that means in Idaho Springs you get arrested, well I guess we'll just get arrested."
Direct email krueger@clearcreeksheriff.us
Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office
405 Argentine Street
Post Office Box 2000
Georgetown, Colorado 80444
Call us at: (303) 679-2376
Wait, wait... am I reading this right?
Recap: kid is in water. Guide jumps in water and recues kid (part of the job btw). Polics arrest guide because he got to kid first?
If I'm reading that right, the PD department needs their badges revoked....Idiots abound.
Chances are the guides were Swift Water Rescue Certified as I was when I was a guide.
What a friggin joke.
Since it had been so long, Krueger said, it was no longer the rafting company's rescue.
Brilliant :D
If I call 911 and they take too long to arrive, can I use the same logic?
Chances are the guides were Swift Water Rescue Certified as I was when I was a guide.
What a friggin joke.They were certified
Wait, wait... am I reading this right?
Recap: kid is in water. Guide jumps in water and recues kid (part of the job btw). Polics arrest guide because he got to kid first?
If I'm reading that right, the PD department needs their badges revoked....Idiots abound.
Kid falls out of boat, the guides search for kid, can't find kid, call in SAR team, kid is spotted, team is setting up, guide can get to kid without issue but is told not to. Guide does it anyways because he's sick of seeing kid in distress while the team is setting up.
I grew up on a Dive rescue team's truck on the columbia in WA, the guide did the right thing.
The sheriff's email addy is in post #1
I'll wager he has a Big Gun and a Big Badge to go along with his Big Ego and little Prick...
What a fuckoff.
I'll tell ya this much... if it were MY kid in the water the Guides better have their asses in there trying to help... otherwise they aren't doing their jobs.
The guy is a hero and sheriff butternuts needs to go to Jail for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.More than likely the Sheriff himself didn't arrest the guy, he's just backing up his Deputy with the Ego. I can understand backing your guys up but there's a time to use your head and tell your guy he was wrong.
Libtard queer at work again... maybe the girl should have waited of Obama's bail out... It's the river's fault, and it should be turned off!
glad the girl is okay, the guide will be fine and can live a good life knowing he did a good job saving the little girl
I thought I'd read that the guide actually found the girl and swam over to her before the rescue team got there? So when the rescue folks got there, he was sitting over there with her, giving her comfort and helping to keep her calm? And for this, they arrested him, for getting in their way, and making them rescue him too? Hell, he probably could have swam back across by himself, and got there quick enough to help pull on the rope.
Zundfolge
06-14-2010, 13:04
Bureaucracy is a form of evil.
iamhunter
06-14-2010, 13:11
email that sheriff. I did. I hope his inbox gets flooded with mail pointing out just how much of an asswipe he's being about this.
cowboykjohnson
06-14-2010, 13:20
I was unaware you could go to jail for saving a child's life... wow
I have no comment.
Fat liar. lol
Fat liar. lol
hey I'm "pleasantly plump"
hey I'm "pleasantly plump"
By order of the president, that is illegal also
Obama Begins "Lifestyle Health Modification" Program, Mandating Behavioural Changes Within US Society
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/obama-begins-lifestyle-health-modification-program-mandating-behavioural-changes-within-us-s
By order of the president, that is illegal also
Obama Begins "Lifestyle Health Modification" Program, Mandating Behavioural Changes Within US Society
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/obama-begins-lifestyle-health-modification-program-mandating-behavioural-changes-within-us-s
they can have my peanut M&Ms when they pry them from my cold, dead hands.
Well... if you are dead, you are guaranteed to lose weight :D
Anna Nicole Smith finally achieved her goal weight a few months ago.
Thanks TrimSpa!
By order of the president, that is illegal also
Obama Begins "Lifestyle Health Modification" Program, Mandating Behavioural Changes Within US Society
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/obama-begins-lifestyle-health-modification-program-mandating-behavioural-changes-within-us-s
I guess he hasn't noticed Michelle's huge ass lately.
I guess he hasn't noticed Michelle's huge ass lately.
I make it a point to never make fun of the president's wife for her appearance, but maybe he HAS noticed and was just taking the easy way out by making it a law. "Sorry honey, my hands are tied on this one."
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/no-fat-chicks1.jpg
I was trying to be nice and not post this, but I can't resist. Now, I have a fatass, won't ever say I don't, but I don't go around acting like I'm all sexy and shit and the world just loves me either.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/funnies/michelle_dog_ass.jpg
Let's go back to pounding on the dumbass sheriff for arresting the river guide. Is the guy still in jail?
18-8-102. Obstructing government operations.
(1) A person commits obstructing government operations if he intentionally obstructs, impairs, or hinders the
performance of a governmental function by a public servant, by using or threatening to use violence, force, or physical
interference or obstacle.
(2) It shall be an affirmative defense that:
(a) The obstruction, impairment, or hindrance was of unlawful action by a public servant; or
(b) The obstruction, impairment, or hindrance was of the making of an arrest; or
(c) The obstruction, impairment, or hindrance of a governmental function was by lawful activities in connection with a
labor dispute with the government.
(3) Obstructing government operations is a class 3 misdemeanor.
Source: L. 71: R&RE, p. 453, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 40-8-102. L. 73: p. 538, § 5.
Libtard queer at work again... maybe the girl should have waited of Obama's bail out... It's the river's fault, and it should be turned off!
http://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=8571
[Beer]
GreenScoutII
06-14-2010, 19:41
In our society we have become conditioned that the authorities will take care of us in any crisis. We have largely lost the ability to do for ourselves. This is how a lot of the various agencies of government justify their own existence. As such, when we have an individual such as this young rafting guide who see a job needing to be done, well, if he literally jumps in and does it, it demonstrates how ineffectual the so called authorities can be. This bruises their egos and, to use the construction site expression, makes their pussies hurt.......
I don't think any jury would convict this young man and I hope he hires competent legal counsel and sues for false arrest. Being able to kick Deputy Doughnut in the balls would be a better solution, but that would be vigilantism and we just can't have that!http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif
rfenster
06-15-2010, 10:06
Here's the sheriff's response to my email from this morning:
Whether the charges are dropped is up to the DAs office. But for clarification, when Mr. Snodgrass decided to swim across the creek, the victim was not in the water or even close to it so there was not an imminent danger.
Don Krueger
303-679-2379
From: 'co-ar15 user: rfenster'
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:01 AM
To: Don Krueger
Subject: Drop the charges against Ryan Snodgrass
Sheriff Krueger-
I was unaware you could go to jail for saving a child's life... wow
I also understand that I was not there, and neither were you. We realize are just backing up your deputy, but this is one situation where you need to man up and drop the charges. My family and I spend a lot of time in Clear Creek County and Eagle County, and I'm absolutely shocked at the charges that your office filed against Mr. Snodgrass.
Wow-so Ryan Snodgrass ignored orders and swam to help and comfort his client, a 13 year old girl who was in the water. What a travesty that your boys didn't get there first and that they also had to 'rescue' Mr. Snodgrass, who could have swam back across himself.
In any case-my family is keeping an eye on this story and I hope that you do the right thing and drop all charges against Ryan Snodgrass
Thank you for your consideration
'rfenster'
Yeah it appears to be sensational journalism. sorry
theGinsue
06-16-2010, 00:13
Yeah it appears to be sensational journalism. sorry
Perhaps, but this guide did the right thing - whether the child was in the water still or she had gotten herself out of the water - she at a minimum needed comforting and may have needed immediate medical assistance (you never really know until you get to the possible patient).
The guide should have been thanked for his help and had his hand shaken by authorities.
people with badges hate it when regular folks mack on they kool aid.
You guys are beyond stupid. You would rather trust the life of your daughter to some self appointed "Goober" expert in a fast water rescue than the local fire dept that has the proper training and equipment to do the job safely.
The entire incident luckily came out with a positive result. What if "Goober" would have broken an ankle and drown both himself and the girl coming across the creek? Then you would have been down on the sheriff that they didn't stop the guy from interfering, you think about that?
If you were the sheriff would you let someone attempt a rescue when you already have trained people on the way to do the job safely? If you would, it's a good thing you're not LE because you would be getting yourself and your department sued for being so stupid.
Tell you what, next time Denver SWAT is called to a scene, why don't you show up and tell them how you should handle the situation "cause you got you a shootin iron and sume traning from the local squirl shootin club and those dumb cops don't know nuttin". Go ahead and stick you a$$ out and show all them badge heavy dumb$hits you're so smart.
Grow up, get a clue.
M2MG
"cause you got you ... sume traning from the local squirl shootin club and those dumb cops don't know nuttin".
I see what you did there... [Beer] [ROFL1]
You've got to be kidding. All the guy did was swim across the river and go see if the girl was alright. He didn't pull her out of the water, or put her into the water. I don't even see how they consider that interfering.
You guys are beyond stupid. You would rather trust the life of your daughter to some self appointed "Goober" expert in a fast water rescue than the local fire dept that has the proper training and equipment to do the job safely.
The entire incident luckily came out with a positive result. What if "Goober" would have broken an ankle and drown both himself and the girl coming across the creek? Then you would have been down on the sheriff that they didn't stop the guy from interfering, you think about that?
If you were the sheriff would you let someone attempt a rescue when you already have trained people on the way to do the job safely? If you would, it's a good thing you're not LE because you would be getting yourself and your department sued for being so stupid.
Tell you what, next time Denver SWAT is called to a scene, why don't you show up and tell them how you should handle the situation "cause you got you a shootin iron and sume traning from the local squirl shootin club and those dumb cops don't know nuttin". Go ahead and stick you a$$ out and show all them badge heavy dumb$hits you're so smart.
Grow up, get a clue.
M2MG
River guides are independently certified in swiftwater rescue before they are licensed. Most of the (mostly volunteer) firefighters are NOT. In any case, rescue operations are NOT the place to engage in jurisdictional pissing contests. The short version is that the guide had the training and experience to go to the aid of the girl (including advanced first aid training), and the "rescuers" from the county were in no way hindered by his actions. Also, the law they charged him under is not really applicable, as he did not threaten or use physical violence or force, or physically interfere with their operations. The guide is a hero, not a criminal
cleaner72
06-16-2010, 14:02
You guys are beyond stupid. You would rather trust the life of your daughter to some self appointed "Goober" expert in a fast water rescue than the local fire dept that has the proper training and equipment to do the job safely.
The entire incident luckily came out with a positive result. What if "Goober" would have broken an ankle and drown both himself and the girl coming across the creek? Then you would have been down on the sheriff that they didn't stop the guy from interfering, you think about that?
If you were the sheriff would you let someone attempt a rescue when you already have trained people on the way to do the job safely? If you would, it's a good thing you're not LE because you would be getting yourself and your department sued for being so stupid.
Tell you what, next time Denver SWAT is called to a scene, why don't you show up and tell them how you should handle the situation "cause you got you a shootin iron and sume traning from the local squirl shootin club and those dumb cops don't know nuttin". Go ahead and stick you a$$ out and show all them badge heavy dumb$hits you're so smart.
Grow up, get a clue.
M2MG
I take it your one of the egostical dumbass cops from clear creak or denver. You should get a friggin clue, o wait you dont need to you have a useless badge
cowboykjohnson
06-16-2010, 14:08
^^^
What's with the huge lack of respect for law enforcement?
I think that last response was a little over board and unnecessary, but don't think for one second that just because someone is an officer that they are above speculation, criticism, or flat out being called names just like everyone else.
cowboykjohnson
06-16-2010, 15:07
I think that last response was a little over board and unnecessary, but don't think for one second that just because someone is an officer that they are above speculation, criticism, or flat out being called names just like everyone else.
I couldn't agree more
You guys are beyond stupid. You would rather trust the life of your daughter to some self appointed "Goober" expert in a fast water rescue than the local fire dept that has the proper training and equipment to do the job safely.
The entire incident luckily came out with a positive result. What if "Goober" would have broken an ankle and drown both himself and the girl coming across the creek? Then you would have been down on the sheriff that they didn't stop the guy from interfering, you think about that?
If you were the sheriff would you let someone attempt a rescue when you already have trained people on the way to do the job safely? If you would, it's a good thing you're not LE because you would be getting yourself and your department sued for being so stupid.
Tell you what, next time Denver SWAT is called to a scene, why don't you show up and tell them how you should handle the situation "cause you got you a shootin iron and sume traning from the local squirl shootin club and those dumb cops don't know nuttin". Go ahead and stick you a$$ out and show all them badge heavy dumb$hits you're so smart.
Grow up, get a clue.
M2MG
yeah, because the way the PD handled columbine was textbook perfect, and nobody was shot and killed or bled to death while the police were sitting outside.
maybe we should just outlaw concealed carry because one of us goobers might shoot ourselves, and besides that's what the police are for anyway.
this superior protector attitude is what turns cops into assholes and makes regular citizens hate them.
God bless all good police officers, firefighters & EMTs and deliver them safe to their families, today and every day.
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