NAMPA WOMAN PULLED FROM RIVER There already have been 24 saves this season, Boise fire captain says. By Katy Moeller – kmoeller@idahostatesman.com Edition Date: 07/08/07 A day floating down the Boise River nearly ended in tragedy Saturday for a Nampa family, when a woman who does not know how to swim was flipped off an inner tube into the water during a collision with tree branches. SHE WASN’T WEARING A LIFE JACKET Mindy Doramus watched in horror as her mother, Lorraine Doramus, 54, was swept under the inner tube that both were riding on. Why wasn’t her mother wearing a life jacket? “We didn’t think it would be a problem,” said the 19-year-old, who was visibly shaken by the near disaster. “We thought it was shallow water.” Mindy Doramus’ cousin, Sean Thomas, 36, who also was floating the river Saturday, may have saved Lorraine Doramus from drowning. “He jumped out of his inner tube and grabbed her,” Mindy said. The trio had put in at Barber Park. The accident occurred near Julia Davis Park. Doramus was pulled to shore in the park, where police and paramedics rapidly gathered to assist her. She looked dazed and in shock as she sat on the ground, leaning against the tube. A seemingly innocuous collision with a tree branch caused the near-fatal accident. The inner tube the women were floating on flipped when Mindy tried to push them away from the branch by using her Boogie Board. The strap, which was connected to Mindy’s arm, got tangled in the tree branches. BUSY RESCUE SEASON The Boise Fire Department’s dive/rescue team wasn’t called to this incident, but it has had a high number of calls for help already thisseason. In a typical season, the team responds to 35 calls. There were 50 last year. “This year, we’re already at 24,” said Boise Fire Capt. Greg Ramey, who is a shift leader for the dive/rescue team. “We’re on track for another banner year like last year.” The float season usually ends around Labor Day weekend. Ramey said people who float the Boise River should always wear personal flotation devices. “It’s not a safe river. There’s no such thing,” Ramey said. “I think people have this perception that since it runs through town and so many people do it, that it’s harmless.” While the water is lower this year than in past years, it still runs very fast. The river’s flow is lower — around 800 cubic feet per second when it opened in June compared to last year’s opening flow at 1,100 cfs. Lower water levels mean more exposed obstacles, like rocks and branches, that can catch and pop rafts