State to install fence at site of fatal fall

Bonners Ferry City Council is working toward installing a fence in the area where a 21-year-old former Bonners Ferry woman took a fatal fall on Nov. 29.

Amy Farrell died five hours after falling over a railroad overpass retaining wall at the bottom of the South Hill near Boundary County Library in Bonners Ferry. Her boyfriend, Kevin Dinning, suffered minor injuries. The couple had climbed over the railing beside the sidewalk and was walking down the embankment that goes to the railroad tracks to catch a ride downtown with friends. They fell over a 16-foot retaining wall, landing near the railroad tracks.

Although Idaho Transportation Department hasn’t written its commitment on paper, the agency intends to do the project.

“I have talked with Idaho Transportation Department,” said city administrator Steven Boorman. “I don’t have anything in writing that they have made a commitment.”

A resident contacted ITD about about installing a fence after Farrell’s death. Boorman said he understands a 1,500 foot chain link fence will be installed along the hill in the spring or early summer.

“We’ve talked to them about putting security fencing that will go from the library to the top of the hill,” said Boorman. “We would like to review some lighting improvements down there, too. That has been an issue we have addressed before.”