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Man drowns near Glenns Ferry
The Elmore County Sheriff's Department continues to coordinate the efforts in the search for James Leroy Marsing, 53, of Glenns Ferry, after he fell into the Snake River from his boat on June 14.
Marsing and Evelyn Anthony, also of Glenns Ferry, were fishing near King Hill Saturday when the boat developed mechanical problems. Marsing had been on the bow with an oar, trying to propel the boat, when he went into the water.
Anthony jumped in to try to rescue Marsing, who could not swim and was not wearing a life jacket.
"The current is so strong there and has a tendency to pull you under. She just wasn't able to hold on to him," said Deputy Donnie LaBelle. Anthony's screaming for help attracted the attention of other boaters who drove her within cell phone range to call police.
LaBelle said Marsing's alcohol intake and the cold water temperature could have contributed to the drowning.
Although divers have not been used yet, due to the swift current and cold water, searchers have been assisted in their efforts using underwater cameras, Search and Rescue dogs, as well as a plane, in trying to locate the body. "We do not want to send our men in until we have a positive location," explained LaBelle.
The Sheriff's office is coordinating search efforts which include representatives from Search and Rescue, Parks and Recreation Department and BLM as well as Fish and Game.
"I know that everybody thinks it is not cool to wear a life jacket," said Deputy Laytreda Schultz, "but it is not cool to have to be going through what the family is going through right now either."
A good life jacket is the most important piece of equipment you can have, said the deputies, adding that the law requires a life jacket for every person on a boat.
"We are out there enforcing the laws and issuing citations," said LaBelle. "In the past, we may have just given a warning, but people have had two years' time to learn the law and now we are issuing citations. If you aren't sure what the regs are, call or come by (the Sheriff's Office) and pick up a handbook." He pointed out that DUI (driving under the influence) charges are the same for a boat as they are for a car.