No injuries reported in Kootenai River boat accident
The Kootenai River, U.S. Highway 2 and the railroad tracks weave their way through the mountains west of Libby. The view is from the old Highway 2 trail.
A group of people in a jet boat escaped injury Saturday evening after the vessel sank near Kootenai Falls.
According to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the agency received a report that a 14-foot jet boat sunk in the Kootenai River just below Kootenai Falls at about 6:15 p.m. Saturday, March 29.
Justin Greene of Harrison, Idaho reported that they had been traveling upriver toward Kootenai Falls when the boat sank.
Greene reported that no one on board the boat was injured and everyone made it out of the water.
Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short reminded everyone of the dangerous currents and severe undertows present in the river, especially near Kootenai Falls.
"Please exercise extreme caution and if you must swim, boat or raft in the river, wear an approved life jacket," Short said.
Short said the boat owner must pay for recovery of the craft if it possible due the nature of the current and deep water.
The incident was the first reported in the river since 40-year-old Idaho resident Jessica Prado drowned after a kayaking accident June 26, 2024.