The remains of a victim of a rafting accident on the South Fork of the Boise River near Featherville have been found.
The Elmore County Sheriff says a patrol deputy was alerted to the rafting accident around 3:20 PM Saturday. A citizen told police four people were floating on inner tubes from the Featherville Bridge to the Johnson Bridge when they encountered a log jam that forced at least two people off their tubes into the cold water.
Three of them were able to self rescue to shore, but the last victim was pulled into the water by the swift current. Officials began rescue efforts both in and out of the water, as well as by air, ground, and water rescue resources, but there was still no sign of the victim.
Simultaneously, officials in Pine, Idaho rescued four other stranded rafters, one of which showed signs of serious head injury.
Officials searched for the missing victim until dark, but stopped when conditions became unsafe. Family members who remained on scene found the victim from the shore line trapped underwater.
The next morning, crews were able to recover the victim's remains from the river. Elmore County Sheriff Mike Hollinshead says his heart is with the victim's family.
"The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this tragedy. Additionally, we would also like to express our gratitude to the many volunteers and emergency responders who assisted in the search and recovery of the victim," Hollinshead said.
