Man drowns in Moyie River

BONNERS FERRY — U.S. Border Patrol pulled a male subject from the Moyie River in Eastport around 5:15 p.m. on May 22, according to Boundary County Sheriff Chief Deputy Richard Stephens. It was the second drowning in the river in two weeks.

Boundary County Sheriff’s Office and Boundary Ambulance responded to assist. The subject was unresponsive when he was removed from the water and although life saving efforts were attempted, they were unsuccessful.

According to Stephens, the subject was a United States citizen who had fled Canadian officials in Canada. He allegedly attempted to swim across the Moyie River, entering into the United States illegally, to avoid being detained.

“The subject’s name and identifying information is being withheld until his next of kin can be notified,” Stephens said.