Kayaker found safe

A 68-year-old man was reported missing at 7:18 p.m. July 16, by Yaak River Campground hosts after he failed to leave the river at the takeout point. The man, identified as Alan Lee Priebe of Whitefish, was located at 11:07 p.m. the same evening.

Deputy Boyd White of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call and met with members of Priebe’s family at the campground. He paged David Thompson Search and Rescue to the scene.  responded with six operators and two jet boats to begin rescue efforts. Boundary County, Idaho, authorities also responded, sending boats up the river in hopes of intercepting the missing man.

Priebe’s vessel, a gray pontoon kayak, was located beached near Leonia Bridge at approximately 9:35 p.m., causing the search to shift focus from the river to the shoreline.

Priebe had walked approximately 10 miles along the South Side Road before being picked up by campers who gave him a ride into Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Boundary County authorities reported, at 11:07 p.m., Priebe had been located and was hitchhiking his way back to the Yaak River Campground.