Father of 13 dies in Colorado rafting accident after saving his children from danger

A father of 13 died in a rafting accident in Colorado after saving his children from danger before collapsing on shore.

dr Dustin Harker, a Kansas doctor, was whitewater rafting with his church and four of his children when the fatal accident occurred.

Harker was on board a raft with his children when it capsized and he was forced to lift it off his youngest daughter, who was trapped underneath.

“It was a river they had flown before, but this year the rapids were more turbulent than in the past due to the heavy rainfall,” said his sister-in-law Sharon Neu Young The Hutchinson News.

“During their journey down the river, the raft carrying Dustin and three of his children tragically capsized. Everyone struggled to stay afloat. In the commotion, Dustin threw the capsized raft off his youngest daughter, who was trapped underneath.”

And she said that after rescuing his daughter, the group all made it to shore, where Harker collapsed.

“Unfortunately, by that point, Dustin had already been drinking too much water,” she said. “He was still talking, but stopped responding shortly after.”

Despite receiving CPR for 30 minutes, Harker could not be resuscitated.

“The family is so grateful that all the children made it home and for Dustin for making this happen,” Ms. Young added.

“This turn of events was traumatic for everyone involved – particularly those who witnessed the tragedy.

“The family is so grateful for all the support they are receiving – comments, love, prayers, words of comfort. Dustin Harker, you are loved and we still feel you are with us.”

A GoFundMe page set up to support The Harker family has raised more than $35,000.