Drowning victim's body found

The body of James Leroy Marsing, 53, of Glenns Ferry, was recovered from the Snake River last Wednesday morning by Bureau of Land Management fire personnel, who were assisting in coordinated recovery efforts with the Elmore County Sheriff's Department.

Marsing drowned on Saturday, June 14, after his boat became disabled in a section of the Snake River approximately one-quarter mile downstrem from the I-84 Exit 129. While attempting to propel the boat with oars, Marsing fell off the bow and into the river. He did not know how to swim and was not wearing a lifejacket. His friend, Evelyn Anthony, also of Glenns Ferry, jumped into the river in an effort to save Marsing, but the currentwas too swift and Marsing went under almost immediately.

"The current is so strong there and has a tendency to pull you under. She just wasn't able to hold on to him," said Lt. Donnie LaBelle, of the Elmore County Sheriff's Depattment. LaBelle led recovery efforts.

Anthony was able to swim to shore and attract the attention of other boaters who picked her up and then drove to a location where she could get cell phone reception and call for help.

The river narrows in the area where the accident took place. LaBelle, estimated the depth of the water at the accident scene at about 20 feet. Due to the rapid current, the sheriff 's department did not place divers into the water. Instead, they used underwater cameras, dogs from the Mountain Search & Rescue division of the state Search and Rescue team, and a plane in an attempt to locate Marsing's body. The sheriff's department ment coordinated recovery efforts with BLM, Fish and Game and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

LaBelle wanted to be certain of the location of the body before sending divers into the swiftly moving water. However, divers were not necessary as Marsing's body was recovered after floating to the surface.

LaBelle said Marsing's alcohol intake and the coldwater temperature could have contributed to the drowning.

"I know that everybody thinks it is not cool to wear a lifejacket," said Deputy Laytreda Schultz, who also assisted in recovery efforts, "but it is not cool to have to be going through what the family is going through right now either."

A good life jacket is the most important piece of equipment you can have, said the deputies, adding that the law requires a usable life jacket for every person on a boat.

"We are out there enforcing the laws and issuing citations," said LaBelle. "In the past, we may have just given a warning, but people have had two years" time to learn the law and now we are issuing citations. If you aren't sure what the regs are, call or come by (the sheriff's office) and pick up a handbook." He pointed out that DUI charges are the same for a boat as they are for a vehicle.