UPDATE: The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the two men who died. They have been identified as Robert Martineau, 73, of Idaho Falls, and Brandon Rainey, 39, both from Idaho Falls.
UPDATE:
PALISADES, Idaho (KIFI) — Two local men have died as a result of their injuries after being caught in a boating accident in the Snake River just below the Palisades Dam on Friday morning, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday afternoon.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the two men and a woman had been riding in a jet boat just below the main outlet of the dam when it overturned and capsized around 10:30 a.m.
By the time first responders arrived, the woman had safely reached the riverbank. Bystanders had pulled one of the men from the water and were performing CPR, while the second man remained trapped beneath the overturned boat. Nearby boaters attempted to free him but were unsuccessful until dive and rescue teams arrived to pull him from the water and began lifesaving measures.
The Sheriff’s Office commended the bystanders and local boaters who played a major role in rendering aid to the victims.
Air Methods and Intermountain Rescue helicopters airlifted both men to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where both later succumbed to their injuries.
Deputies said none of them were wearing a life jacket at the time, even though some were on the boat.
The names of the two men have not been released at this time pending family notification.
This is a developing story. Local News 8 is monitoring the situation and will update this article as new information becomes available.
