Kayaker drowns on St. Joe River
Posted: Apr 27, 2005, 10:40
The Shoshone County Sheriff?s Office responded to a report at 9 p.m., on Tuesday, April 26, regarding a drowning on the St. Joe River above the Avery Area. Jeffrey Daniel Ryan, 28, of Troy, ID, apparently drowned while kayaking on the St. Joe River. Information provided by a friend of the victim, Miles Michael Hubbard, 21, of Milton Freewater, OR, indicated that Ryan purchased a fiberglass kayak and did not have any kayaking experience. They traveled to this area and as Ryan entered the river, about 3-4 miles above where authorities found his body, Hubbard followed along the roadway in his vehicle. Hubbard lost sight of Ryan and it took several hours to locate him.
Hubbard found Ryan?s kayak lodged in between debris and logs. Avery Quick Response Unit, The Swift Water Unit of St. Maries Fire Department, US Forest Service Law Enforcement along with the Shoshone County Sheriff?s Office responded to the incident. Members of the Swift River Water Rescue Unit risked their lives in removing the body from the river. The river is running very high and the water is extremely cold. Shoshone County Sheriff Chuck Reynalds strongly urges anyone who plans on rafting or using the river to use extreme caution.
