Fallen tree pins 11-year-old boy and woman in rushing Idaho river, sheriff says

Strong currents trapped an 11-year-old boy and a woman beneath a downed tree in the Coeur d’Alene River in northern Idaho, sheriff’s officials reported.

The two were floating down the river Saturday, July 2, when they became snagged on the fallen tree, Shoshone County sheriff’s officials said in a news release.

The rushing water dragged them under, the release said. Passers-by pulled them from the river but the 60-year-old woman was not breathing.

Bystanders revived the woman, who was taken by helicopter to a hospital in critical condition, sheriff’s officials said. She was not wearing a life jacket.

The 11-year-old boy, who was wearing a life jacket, was shaken but not hurt, the release said. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

Deputies reported the river was “very cold” at about 46 degrees, the release said.

“If it wasn’t for the quick actions by the citizens near this incident, the outcome could have been much worse,” sheriff’s officials said. They urged people to wear life jackets in or near the water.

The Coeur d’Alene River runs through northwest Idaho near the Washington border.

This story was originally published July 3, 2022 at 9:03 AM with the headline "Fallen tree pins 11-year-old boy and woman in rushing Idaho river, sheriff says."