More details released in Idaho Falls water rescue
Published at | Updated at
UPDATE 4:30 p.m.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says the names of the 2 adults involved in the incident are:
Dennis Davey, 24 of Idaho Falls – boat operator, father of trapped 4 year old boy.
Jose Gomez, 60 of Idaho Falls – passenger and father of the other 4 year old boy.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Wednesday on a boat-capsizing incident in Idaho Falls on Tuesday evening that resulted in a young child being hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Read the original story here.
The cause of this incident is still under investigation, however we do know the boater launched from the South Tourist Park Boat Ramp and motored upstream to the area of the Broadway Bridge with two adult males and their two male children, both 4 years of age, and all from Idaho Falls. The two children were wearing life jackets, and the adults were not. During that time the boat experienced an issue with the anchor causing it to quickly take on water and capsize, trapping one of the 4-year-old kids underneath.
The other 4-year-old and his father floated downstream, where they were rescued and pulled from the water by officers and firefighter personnel just above the Pancheri Bridge. The driver of the boat and a nearby citizen, 40-year-old Oris Martinez, of Idaho Falls, jumped into the water were able to turn the boat partially over so that officers and rescue personnel arriving on scene could get to the trapped 4-year-old and pull him from the water.
The 4-year-old was trapped under the boat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The driver of the boat had to let go and floated a short distance, where he was also helped from the water by arriving officers and ambulance personnel.
All occupants of the boat and Mr. Martinez were transported by Idaho Falls Ambulance to EIRMC. The trapped 4-year-old boy remains at the hospital in ICU and the rest were treated and released last night. There is no indication at this time of alcohol use or other outside factors as to the cause of the incident, other than a problem with the anchor being stuck on the river bottom. Per the family’s request, we will not be releasing the occupants’ names until tomorrow.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office again reminds those of you on our waterways to prepare for emergencies as they can happen in an instant, practice safe boating, and always wear a life jacket. Good preparation and safety helps to ensure everyone can enjoy the use of East Idaho’s pristine waterways.