Name released in Punchbowl death

ASPEN ” Nicholas McChesney is the young man who died after jumping in a pool in the Roaring Fork River locally known as “the Punchbowl” on Sunday, according to the Pitkin County Coroner’s office. He was 22 years old.

McChesney and a group of friends from Longmont had all planned to jump in the Punchbowl, “for fun” according to Pitkin County Deputy Tricia Louthis. McChesney jumped in first.

Friends on scene told the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office that McChesney jumped into the turbulent water about 4 p.m. They witnessed him being sucked down by the water and surfacing occasionally while gasping for air.

Rescuers were on scene by 4:39 p.m., but were unable to resuscitate McChesney.

Though his friends had told the the sheriff’s office that he was from Longmont, the coroner’s office has said that he is from Aspen, Colo.

The cause of death was listed as drowning after jumping into turbulent water.