Rafting accident in Golden, B.C., kills 1

Mounties in Golden, B.C., are investigating after a rafter died during an excursion on the Kicking Horse River on Saturday.

Officials say the rafter was on a trip with the Glacier Raft Company when the boat they were in flipped in the Middle Canyon section of the river just after 3 p.m. MT.

The raft was one of five that were navigating the rapids 15 kilometres east of Golden. Guides from the other rafts recovered nine people from the river.

The victim was unresponsive when pulled from the water and could not be revived.

"This kind of thing rocks a company like Glacier and its staff right to their core because the people are professionals, they take great pride in their skill out on the river," said Keith Davis with the B.C. Rivers Outfitters Association.

"When this kind of thing happens, a lot of times people don't realize the devastating impact it hastheir just tremendous sense of loss in having something like this happen to one of their guests."

The Kicking Horse River is experiencing high water conditions due to spring run-off, but Davis said the water met safe operating guidelines.

The Glacier Raft Company has operated for more than 30 years, taking more than 2,000 people a year on rafting expeditions.