The Body Of Missing 16-Year-Old Girl Recovered

Search-and-rescue teams located the body of the 16-year-old girl who was swept away by the Roaring Fork River.

Pitkin Sheriff officers, Aspen Fire Protection District, Mountain Rescue Aspen, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority, Aspen Ambulance District, Aspen Hope Center, Aspen Police Department, and Pitkin County Open Space all participated in the search to find the girl. Her body was retrieved around 9:15 AM this (Thursday) morning.

The Kansas teen was reportedly crossing the Roaring Fork River river just below a popular swimming hole called "The Punchbowl," when she was swept away by the strong current. The girl's companions and others tried searching for her without success. Shortly after a call for help came in from an emergency call box along the highway.

"The Punchbowl" is a popular summer swimming and recreation spot just east of Aspen, near Highway 82.

Local authorities want to once again warn the public of the dangers of Colorado rivers and waterways. They're still swollen and flowing faster than you might expect.

Credit: Aspen Daily News