BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. – June 21, 2023 – The Bullhead City Police Department is investigating a drowning that occurred on the Colorado River Tuesday night. 

On June 20 at approximately 7:30 p.m., emergency crews responded to the Riverside Casino boat dock on the Nevada side of the river. A 14-year-old girl from Downey, CA was rescued from the water after being pinned underneath an inflatable tube between the piling of the Laughlin Bridge. Witnesses reported that the juvenile was riding on an inflatable raft that was being towed by a personal watercraft (PWC). The female juvenile was tossed off the tube and the PWC also capsized. CPR was immediately administered. The victim was transported to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center where she was later pronounced deceased.  

Impairment or negligent operation does not appear to be factors in this accident. The PWC was personally owned, and the operator was experienced. The victim was wearing a life vest. No other injuries were reported. The incident is still under investigation.