Accident Database

Report ID# 3840

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  • PFD Not Worn or Present
  • Does not Apply
  • High Water

Accident Description

I was surfing upstream of this accident and watched rafters w/out PFDs on float by. It seems that people were letting their guard down after running the two biggest rapids upstream, Ruby and Lake Creek. The first raft dump trucked in Black Rock rapid that usually isn't much of a rapid unless water is very high. Experienced rafters in a 20 foot boat. They had been wearing their jackets but stopped on the beach and didn't put them back on. Long wave train w big waves! I ran it the day before in my Dynamic Duo and we were getting covered up in the waves. The waves were punchable if you stayed square to them.The river is running 41,000. 80+ degrees outside w a water temp of 50.   ( from Devon Barker-Hicks )

Coeur d'Alene man missing after raft flipped on Salmon River

KTVB.COM - June 9, 2014

LUCILE, Idaho — Idaho County Sheriff’s Office said a Coeur d’Alene man disappeared Sunday while rafting on the Salmon River. Deputies said 35-year-old Andrew Joseph “AJ” Gray was on a raft that flipped and spilled several people into the river Sunday afternoon. Multiple agencies, local outfitters, and boaters searched for Gray, but were not able to find him. “This is an unfortunate reminder that people recreating on the rivers need to wear life vests,” said Sheriff Doug Giddings. Gray was not wearing his life vest when he went into the river according to deputies. The Riggins Dive Team and Idaho County Sheriff’s Office continued to search for him on Monday.

Family, friends to celebrate life of former Eagle man who drowned in Salmon River rafting accident

Boise - The Idaho Statesman

June 20, 2014

A.J. Gray

A gathering to remember the life of 35-year-old Andrew Joseph "A.J." Gray will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Dutch Goose, 3515 W. State Street in Boise.

The body of Gray, missing after a June 8 rafting accident on the Salmon River, was recovered this week about 80 miles downstream in the Hells Canyon area of the Snake River.

The Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office told the Lewiston Tribune that a river guide reported finding the body and securing it to rocks.

Deputies traveled about 35 miles south of Lewiston on Tuesday to recover the body.

Authorities say Gray was rafting near Lucile when the raft flipped, spilling several people into the river.

 

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