Man drowns in Kootenai River

Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Multiple agencies came together to search for Adrian Wages, who was swept down river on July 15.

Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Boundary County Sheriff’s boat searches the Kootenai River for the missing person on Sunday.

by Mandi Bateman Editor
| July 16, 2018 3:21 PM

Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Boundary County Sheriffs boat searches the Kootenai River for the missing person on Sunday.

BONNERS FERRY — Adrian Wages was swept downstream around noon on Sunday, July 15, while trying to recover a boat that had drifted away while he and a friend were fishing in the Kootenai River.

According to the friend, Wages, 60, swam after the boat and became caught in a swift current. He reportedly called out for help and the friend, unable to reach him, told him to float on his back and to not fight the current, as there appeared to be calm water farther down river. The friend said Wages was able to float on his back for a while before he disappeared.

The friend, who asked that his name not be used, was rescued off an island and the search for Wages was conducted by the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Boundary Search and Dive Rescue Team, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Kootenai Tribe, family member and friends. The search went into the dark and then continued the following day starting at about 5 a.m.

The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office reported that the body of Wages was located and recovered from the Kootenai River before noon on Monday, July 16.

“Thank you to all the responders,” said Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Wages family and friends.”