Accident Database

Report ID#69830

1994-08-28
accident date
Patricia Tomosaitis
victim
52
victim age
Salmon
river
8 - Riggins to White Bird
section
Snow Hole Rapid
location
n/a
gage
Low
water level
III
river difficulty
PFD Fell Off
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

MYSTERIOUS DEATH ON THE LOWER SALMON Patricia Tomosaitis, 52 fell out of a tandem inflatable kayak at Snow Hole Rapids on Idaho’s Lower Salmon River. The accident occurred on August 28, 1994 when the water level was extremely low. She did not resurface; her life jacket popped up soon after her disappearance. The cause of her death remains a mystery, but it is possible that she slipped out of a poorly fitted PFD then became disoriented under the surface. The body had not been found several days later. SOURCE: NORS Currents; Spokane Spokesman Review; Tyler Williamshttps://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/remains-found-in-idaho-belong-to-washington-mom-missing-since-1994/