Teen hunter missing in water near Blackfoot identified; search and rescue efforts continue
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BLACKFOOT — There is still no sign of a 16-year-old boy who went into the water while hunting with friends, according to the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office. The teen, identified as Jayden William Jensen of Pocatello, has been missing since Wednesday.
Jayden was duck hunting with a group of friends on Wednesday, Jayden’s father, Shawn Jensen, told EastIdahoNews.com. He went into the water wearing waders to retrieve a duck.
“(He) stepped off a little ledge and sank, so the waders filled up with water,” he said.
Although his friends went into the water after losing site of Jayden, their attempts to find and rescue him were unsuccessful, Jensen said, adding they also called 911 right away.
Jayden, his father said, “is one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.”
“He is strong and resourceful,” he adds.
The Jensen family is working closely with the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office. Shawn was “riding shotgun” with deputies, according to Chief Deputy Jordyn Nebeker of the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office.
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The search for Jayden was paused late Wednesday evening due to lack of light and weather conditions, but search and rescue teams from several agencies were back at it Thursday morning.
Fort Hall Fish and Game and Fort Hall Swift Water Rescue have joined in the search. Air Idaho Rescue has a helicopter in the air, as well. Bonneville and Jefferson Counties have offered their search and rescue teams, too.
Crews have been battling cold water temperatures and high winds all day, Nebeker told EastIdahoNews.com.
“We’re getting a lot of low visibility,” he explained.
Nevertheless, they haven’t given up hope.
“People trained to work through this kind of thing are working tirelessly,” Nebeker said. “We’re all coming together and giving it our best.”
Nebeker discouraged volunteers from joining the search, saying it is better if the public stays away from the area. The terrain is difficult to traverse and even rescue vehicles are getting stuck once in a while, he said.
“We don’t want to distract resources that are coordinated and focused on the task at hand,” the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.