BOISE COUNTY, Idaho — Three people have lost their lives in the past seven days in Boise County rivers. According to Sheriff Scott Turner of the Boise County Sheriff's Office BCSO), people need to use caution at this time in rivers and have safety equipment.
"I would warn folks that are seeking to recreate on the rivers to use caution. Water levels and flows are still up. The current is moving faster than it appears. Safety equipment such as life preservers are essential when recreating,' Sheriff Turner told KTVB.
Turner said two of the drownings happened on Friday May 24. One because of a car accident on Highway 55 and one in Garden Valley at the Alder Creek Bridge in the South Fork Payette River where a man was recovered early May 25.
The most recent incident was May 31 when a man from Eagle and his friend were jumping in the Payette River at Horseshoe Bend from rocks and off a bridge when the current became too much for them.
As KTVB previously reported, on May 31, the 23-year-old was able to swim to shore and get help. The 24-year-old has not been found. Gem County has been helping and it is now a recovery effort.
"The rivers are still high and there is still run-off. People need to pay attention to the water. it's high and cold," Turner said.
The Horseshoe Fire Department also posted this on social media, but Sheriff Turner clarified to KTVB the number of river related drownings was three, not four. He said the emergency responders in the area, and surrounding areas, have been working together night and day to recover the victims.
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