On Aug. 21, 2022 at 12:36 p.m. the Idaho Falls Fire Department, Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office responded to a water rescue call at the 3000 block of North River Road.

The reporting party told the Emergency Communications Officers/Dispatcher that there was an adult female stuck under the diversion dam in a kayak on the west side of the river, near the Snake River Animal Shelter.

The victim was kayaking with three other adults when she went over the diversion dam and got stuck. She was able to hold on to some concrete and keep from going under the water. The three other kayakers got out of the water without injury.  

While the BCSO's Dive Team launched their jet skis, three crews from IFFD positioned themselves at the dam, 100 yards down from the dam, and at 200 yards from the dam to serve as safety watches should the victim break away from her grip and float downstream.

At around 1 p.m. first responders reported having eyes on the victim who was on top of the kayak. By 1:30 p.m. they had made contact with the victim, placed her onto a jet ski, and got her safely to the riverbank. She was taken to a nearby ambulance for evaluation and was released without injury.

Media note: *There are no photos available.

Media Contact: Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer, (208) 612-8122, khammon@idahofalls.gov