Paddleboarder found dead after vanishing underwater in Idaho’s Palisades Reservoir
A man was paddleboarding on an Idaho reservoir when he went underwater and never resurfaced, deputies said.
Gary Vorwaller, a 57-year-old from Soda Springs, was paddleboarding on the Palisades Reservoir on Wednesday, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said. Someone saw Vorwaller go into the water and never come back up, according to the sheriff’s office. The person called for help just before 3 p.m.
A dive team and rescuers rushed to the reservoir.
“An arriving deputy was able to dive in the location where the male was last seen and quickly recover him, however he was already deceased,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The man was not wearing a life jacket, according to deputies.
Nearly 4,000 people die from drowning each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people who do were not wearing life jackets.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said people can take some steps to stay safer while recreating on water:
Know the water before entering: People should know the water temperature, how it flows and any potential hazards.
Use the right gear: This can be a boat, kayak, flotation device or any other watercraft.
Plan for emergencies: Let people know when you’re going to be in the water and what time you plan to leave. People should also know your location.
Wear a life jacket: In Idaho, children 14 years and younger are required to wear a life jacket, but officials recommend everyone wear one while on a boat, kayak or paddleboard.
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 12:09 PM.