Authorities rescue party of 5 hunters who capsized on the Snake River near Nampa
A party of hunters was rescued from an island on the Snake River west of Nampa on Sunday, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Two law enforcement agents — Fish and Wildlife Specialist Ray Portwood and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jason Roberts — were beginning a patrol of the Snake when they were notified of a search and rescue alert, according to a Thursday news release.
A boatload of two adult hunters and three children had capsized in a swiftly flowing section of the river, in a unit of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. The hunters were able to swim to an island, the report said.
Temperatures in the river this time of year are around 45 degrees, according to the news release.
Portwood and Roberts traveled downriver and located the party on the north bank of Smith’s Island, a half-dozen miles west of the main wildlife refuge in Nampa.
The boat was found submerged on a nearby gravel bar, the release said.
“Drenched and cold, the three children and one of the adults were assisted into the Canyon County sheriff’s boat,” the release said. The second adult was picked up after the rest of the party was taken to shore.
The officials and one of the adults retrieved their belongings from where the boat had capsized.
“Reports indicate the 12-foot boat was over its maximum load capacity and the hunters were not wearing (life jackets) when it capsized,” the release said.
In the release, Portwood said the party was lucky that agents had been heading out on patrol.
“It is amazing that someone didn’t drown in the fast-running cold water,” he said in the release. “This serves as a sobering reminder to follow all boating regulations and not overload your boat. This could have been a tragedy for several families.”
The Sheriff’s Office is offering a free boat safety course on Saturday in partnership with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The class will be at 1323 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration for the course is available on the Parks and Recreation website.
