Idaho man drowns while photographing near Yaak Falls

A 22-year-old Idaho man died Sunday afternoon after falling into the Yaak River near Yaak Falls.

The man was visiting and photographing the scenic spot with his mother when he slipped and fell into the surging waters about 2 p.m. Sunday, Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe said Monday.

Bowe said the man’s body was spotted 3:10 p.m. about half a mile downriver and recovered about two hours later. Rescue personnel faced steep terrain in recovering the body, he said.

A sheriff’s deputy and a Libby volunteer ambulance crew happened to be in the area when the fall was reported, Bowe said. They were joined by members of David Thompson Search and Rescue, Troy Volunteer Fire Department and Troy Volunteer Ambulance.

The man’s identity was being withheld pending notification of family, Bowe said.