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Search teams locate missing kayaker on Kootenai
River |
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July 21, 2015 |
KLCB Radio in Libby, Montana is reporting an
incident on the Kootenai River that turned out
OK, but which could potentially have had a bad
outcome.
According to hte KLCB report, last Thursday
evening (July 16) at 7:18 p.m., the campground hosts at the
Yaak River Campground notified the Lincoln
County, Montana Sheriff’s Dispatch that an adult
male, identified as Alan Lee Priebe of
Whitefish, Montana, age 68, was floating the
Kootenai River and had not gotten out at the
Yaak River Campground take-out point with his
companions. Instead, he had floated on by,
heading down the river toward Idaho.
He is hard of hearing and was by himself in his
own single grey pontoon kayak.
Lincoln County Deputy Boyd White responded to
the campground and met with family members.
Montana's David Thompson Search and Rescue was
paged to respond and begin rescue efforts. DTSAR
responded with two jet boats and six members.
Boundary County, Idaho authorities responded up
the river with boats and a U.S. Forest Service
fire helicopter also responded to assist.
Burlington Northern was contacted to watch for
Mr. Priebe along the tracks.
About 9:35 p.m. that evening, the helicopter
located the kayak, which appeared to have been
intentionally beached near the Leonia Bridge on
the Idaho / Montana border. The search then
shifted to the shore along the South Side Road
area and in Idaho.
At about 11:07 p.m. that night, Boundary County
advised that Mr. Priebe had been located and was
hitching a ride back to the campground.
Mr. Priebe had gone past the takeout point at
the Yaak River Campground, had beached his
kayak, and walked up to the South Side Road. He
walked approximately 10 miles before finding
campers who gave him a ride to Bonners Ferry.
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