AP journalist drowns after boating accident
by NBC Montana Staff and Associated Press
Mon, April 22nd 2024
John Brewer, died Friday, April 19, 2024 in a fishing accident in Montana. Brewer, 76, of Port Angeles, Wash., had a 50-year career in journalism, including nearly two decades with The Associated Press. He retired in 2015 after nearly 18 years as editor and publisher of the Peninsula Daily News.
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office announced a man drowned Friday, while fishing on the Bitterroot River north of Darby.
John Brewer, a 76-year-old Washington man was identified as the victim. Brewer's boat tipped over on a log jam. Three men were in the raft when the incident occurred, two safely exited the water but Brewer was caught in the current. The other fishermen were able to pull the victim out of the water, attempting CPR.
The Darby Volunteer Fire Department, Ravalli County Search and Rescue and Ravalli County Sheriff's Officer responded to the scene. Despite efforts, the victim was pronounced dead on the scene.
Brewer's coast-to-coast journalism career spanned 50 years, including nearly two decades at The Associated Press.
Brewer and his longtime friend Randy Johnson were on their annual fly fishing trip in Montana on Friday when the boat Brewer was in hit a submerged log and flipped over, Johnson said.
“I’m still having trouble digesting it," he said Saturday.
Brewer retired in 2015 after nearly 18 years as editor and publisher of the Peninsula Daily News in Port Angeles. Current publisher Eran Kennedy remembered him Saturday as “a true journalist and editor at heart” and “a person of unwavering integrity, driven by a passion for community and local journalism.”
The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office sent out the following:
Ravalli County Sheriff - Coroner Steve Holton released that a man fishing on the Bitterroot River north of Darby on the afternoon of Friday, April 19th, drowned after the boat he was in tipped over on a log jam. 76-year-old John Brewer of Port Angeles, Washington was identified as the victim. Sheriff Holton said there were three adult men in the raft when the accident occurred. Two of the men were able to safely exit the water but the victim was caught in the current. The other fishermen in the party were able to pull the victim out of the water downstream of the accident and started CPR.
Darby Volunteer Fire Department, Ravalli County Search and Rescue and Ravalli County Sheriff's Officer responded to the scene and continued lifesaving efforts but unfortunately the victim died at the scene.
Sheriff Holton reminded everyone that the Bitterroot River is dangerous at all times of the year. Log jams, submerged obstacles, diversion dams and dangerous circumstances are common on all parts of the river. Everyone recreating on the river should be aware of and avoid hazards at all times.
