A Fire Captain who was deployed in New York City during the 9/11 terror attack has sadly died after getting pinned under a boat.
Michael Harp, 54, lost his life after being thrown from a raft into the Green River in the Colorado portion of the park, according to the National Park Service.
The incident occurred around 4PM local time on June 27 on the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument.
According to a news release from the National Park Service (NPS), Harp was part of "a private permitted trip" when he became trapped underneath the raft.
Efforts by the group to free the boat, which was pinned on a rock in the rapid known as Hells Half Mile, were ultimately successful.
However, Harp, who had become unresponsive and lost his lifejacket, drifted downstream, per FOX News.
Park officials reported that Harp’s body was discovered the next morning by guides, approximately 10 river miles downstream from the site of the accident.
His remains were transported to the Moffat County coroner by a Classic Air Medical helicopter crew based in Vernal.
As per the National Park Service website: "Hells Half Mile is a class III/IV rapid located on the Green River in the Canyon of Lodore in the Colorado portion (Moffat County) of Dinosaur National Monument.
"It is approximately 12 river miles downstream of the Gates of Lodore boat launch near the monument’s northern boundary.
"Flow rates for the Canyon of Lodore section of the Green River are influenced by the water release at Flaming Gorge Dam, which averaged 4700 cubic feet per second from June 25-28."
Harp, a 27-year veteran of the Salt Lake City Fire Department and a second-generation firefighter, was deployed to Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"His legacy of service, leadership, compassion, and contagious laughter will forever be remembered by all who knew him," the department stated.
The department extended its condolences to Harp’s family, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends, and fellow firefighters during this difficult time.”
Dinosaur National Monument also expressed their sympathies, offering "condolences to the family, friends, and river community impacted by this incident.”
The park also thanked those involved in the search and recovery efforts.
The Green River is renowned as one of the "premiere whitewater rivers" in the western United States, according to the NPS.
Dinosaur National Monument protects over 105 miles of waterways between the Green and Yampa Rivers.
