Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescues swift water team locate drowning victim

On July 01, 2022, at approximately 1351 hours, Elmore County Dispatch received a report of a possible drowning in the upper South Fork of the Boise River in the area behind the Boise National Forest 061Z campground area in Elmore County, Idaho. Elmore County Sheriff’s Deputies, Pine Featherville EMS, Elmore County Search and Rescue as well as a Saint Luke’s Air Ambulance were immediately dispatched to the area. Elmore County Search and Rescue swift water members began operations attempting to find the victim who was a 44-year-old male his identity is not being released at this time until next of kin can be notified. It was known that the victim had attempted to rescue a dog that was in distress and due to the swift current and depth of the water he and the dog had gone under.

Rescue efforts continued over the next four days that included inflatable boat searches, drone searches and foot searches from the riverbanks. The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office had assistance from the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team that searched under water in locations of interest that were found on the second day of the search with no avail. On July 04, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescues swift water team was able to locate the male approximately half a mile from the location where he had gone under water. With the assistance of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, they were able to get the male out of the water where he was release to the custody of the Elmore County Corner.

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all resources that assisted in the search that includes Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Soup Ladies, Kaneaster Construction, Allen’s Water Tender, All J’s Porter Potties and all other volunteers that devoted their time to assist in helping find closure for the victim’s family.

This is an ongoing investigation.

No other information will be released at this time.

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone of the danger of recreating along the river with

the fast current and debris that make for unsafe conditions in the South Fork of the Boise River. Please recreate

safely.