BOISE, Idaho - May 24, 2023 - Tracy Demaree, 63, was identified on Wednesday by the Ada County Coroner's Office after he was reported missing on May 1 while kayaking the Boise River. Demaree was pulled from the river on May 16 near Parkcenter Boulevard, according to a press release from the Ada County Coroner. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Missing kayaker on Boise River now a recovery situation
The kayaker was not found. Officials remind people that there is a "Dangerous River Condition" in effect.
Author: KTVB Staff
May 1, 2023
BOISE, Idaho — Boise Police and Fire Departments responded to reports of a missing kayaker on the Boise River. He was not found and it is now a recovery effort. Crews were at the West Parkcenter Bridge and Beacon. According to a press release from Boise Fire and the City of Boise, crews responded to the call on Monday, May 1 around 2:45 p.m.
"Witness reports show the kayaker put in at Barber Park, and his last known location was in the middle of the river channel near the E Parkcenter Bridge. The Boise Fire Dive Team recovered one inflatable kayak on the river. Nine Boise Fire units, including the river rescue boat, and Boise Police with drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) responded to the search on the river and along the Greenbelt. They were unable to locate the male subject. At 4:15pm, Boise Fire called off the search and transitioned it from a rescue to a recovery effort. The incident is being turned over to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office to investigate for a missing person," the release stated.
There have been several reports from officials that water levels on the river are high and dangerous, and people should use caution. The kayaker has not been found at this time.
"The Boise River is running high and fast and the Boise Fire Department has posted the "Dangerous River Condition" notice. This posting is in coordination with the City of Boise's Department of Parks and Recreation, Boise Police, Ada County Parks and Waterways, and other stakeholders. Current river flows are right around 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) making river conditions extremely dangerous for people and pets. This posting will remain in effect until further notice," a press release from The City of Boise stated.
The Boise Fire Department has recommended people stay out of the river at this time, "do not recreate in the river, as these conditions can be life threatening. Keep pets leashed near the river as they may chase other animals/wildlife into the swift water and be swept away rapidly."
I addition, Boise City is reminding people that they could be charged with costs incurred for their recovery.
Boise Fire: Body recovered from river believed to be missing kayaker
The body was pulled from the river by the Boise Fire Dive Rescue Team during training close to where the kayaker was last seen.
Author: Tracy Bringhurst
KBTV 7 Boise
May 16, 2023
BOISE, Idaho — A body was recovered from the Boise River by Boise Fire and Police Departments Tuesday, May 16. According to a Boise Fire spokesperson that spoke to KTVB, it could be the kayaker that has been missing since Monday, May 1.
Around 6:00 p.m., the Boise Fire Dive Rescue Team was conducting training on the river when they recovered a body.t is presumed to be the missing male kayaker. The body was found about a quarter of a mile from where he was reported last seen, around the West Parkcenter Bridge. The coroner will identify the name of the victim after notifying the next of kin.
As KTVB previously reported, Boise Police and Fire Departments had responded to reports of a missing kayaker on the Boise River at the West Parkcenter Bridge and Beacon. The river was running high and has continued to be unsafe for people to enter at this time.
The Boise Fire Department has recommended people stay out of the river until it is deemed to be safe, "do not recreate in the river, as these conditions can be life threatening. Keep pets leashed near the river as they may chase other animals/wildlife into the swift water and be swept away rapidly."
