PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BONNER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: On
February 19, 2013, at 6:55 p.m., the Bonner County Sheriff's Office, Bonner
County EMS and the West Pend Oreille Fire District were dispatched to a reported
vehicle in the water located at Bear Paw Road and Highway 57. The vehicle was
occupied and submerged up to the window opening.
Sheriff's Office dive team
personnel arrived on scene and entered the 27.5 degree water. Dive team
personal were challenged with the strong current trying to open the door and
free the driver. With help of rescue personnel on shore, the driver was pulled
from the vehicle with use of ropes and a harness.
The driver, 75 year old Gary
Allen of Priest River, was transported to Newport Hospital and then transferred
to Sacred Heart Hospital where he passed away due to complications presumably
due to exposure.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by members of
the Bonner County Sheriff's Office.
