Fremont Rescue

June/July 2009 Searches

June 20, 2009                        Ashton

Fremont County Search & Rescue was called out shortly before 6pm to help locate a 64 year old lady from the Ashton area that had wandered away from her residence and had not returned. After making a quick look around for her, the husband called FCS&R to help locate her. 22 unit members responded with horses, 4 wheelers and came prepared to hike, if necessary, to help find her. Bonneville County's Search & Rescue dog teams  were called to assist if needed. The woman was located at 7:42pm. near a creek in Hale Canyon in a heavily wooded area NE of Ashton. Unit members helped transport her out of the area to meet up with Ashton Ambulance, and she was transported to Madison Memorial Hospital.

June 22, 2009                       Island Park

Fremont County Search & Rescue members were called out about 11:20am to help locate a 34 year old woman from Madison County who had not been seen since the night before. It was believed she may be in the Island Park area. 16 unit members headed to Island Park with 4wheelers and 4wheel-drive vehicles to navigate the roads in the area hoping to locate the woman's vehicle. A fixed wing plane was dispatched to assist with the search. At 2:30pm the search was called off because the woman had returned home.

June 23, 2009                     St. Anthony sandbar

Heavy rains and high water runoff in Henry's Fork Snake River claimed the life of a 21 year old Preston, ID man attending BYU-Idaho. At 2:45pm, Fremont Rescue was called out for a water rescue below the Sandbar at the Klyde Keefer Memorial Park in St. Anthony, ID. He was last seen jumping into the water at the St. Anthony sandbar, below the cement abutment, north of the park. 18 FCS&R members responded with dive gear, jet boats, and river boats. St. Anthony Fire Department was also dispatched to lend a hand with the rescue. Fremont County Deputies, St. Anthony Police Department, an Ashton Police Officer and numerous citizens also assisted with the search. Within 10 minutes of the callout, FCS&R had a boat in the water. An additional boat was later launched to search the river. Individuals involved with the search combed the banks looking for the young adult. Brian Ball responded with his helicopter to fly above the river and assist with search efforts. Searchers searched the areas below the bridge and the Rocky Mountain Power Plant. Power plant officials were called in to assist with water flow at the plant. It was unknown whether he could be in the Egin Diversion Canal or follow the main waterway over the power plant. Shortly after 4:00pm his body was located by two individuals in inflatable kayaks approximately 3/4 mile downstream from the sandbar. CPR was initiated until he was pronounced dead at the scene. his name will be released after notification of next of kin.

Thanks to all that offered their assistance.

There is a sizeable amount of water runoff in rivers, creeks and streams due to the quantity of rain this month. Warm weather has increased the amount of normal melt creating extremely high waters in our area. Fremont County Search & Rescue advises people to exercise extreme caution when navigating, swimming, fishing or any other water-related activities.

July 4, 2009                             Stone Bridge, Ashton

Fremont Rescue almost made it through the July 4th weekend with no rescues or searches. Saturday, July 4, 18 members quickly responded to a report of  what appeared to be a body floating in or on the bank of the Snake River somewhere between the Stone Bridge Northeast of Ashton and the Marysville Hill north of Ashton. Several unit members responded with drift boats, a cat-a-raft, jet boats, and jet skies to navigate the river upstream from Ashton Dam, and additional members responded to float down the river. The jet boat was launched from Ashton Dam launch navigating upstream to Stone Bridge.

July 21, 2009                               Bear Gulch

A man was reported to be laying on the edge of the river bank. A deputy was the first on scene, who had the man up and walking around before rescue members arrived. Apparently he had been in a argument with his rafting party, and they parted ways from each other.