Story Published: Jul 27, 2010 at 2:29 PM MDT
Story Updated: Jul 27, 2010 at 2:34 PM MDT
The victim entered the river when his 10-year-old son, playing in the water, showed distress while crossing over the eddy (slack water) line into the downstream transitional current on the rive right side of the base of Lunch Counter Rapid.
The victim was able to reach his son and pushed him into the slower water with assistance from passing kayakers. The son made it back to shore and the father/victim was pulled underwater and not seen again.
Star Valley Search and Rescue (SVSAR) and Forest Service personnel responded to the scene immediately, and searched miles of river and shoreline from Lunch Counter to the Palisades Reservoir. Search operations ceased at 11:00 p.m. and resumed early Sunday morning. Commercial whitewater guides assisted immediately in repeated efforts to search the water and shore applying their knowledge of river obstacles and rescue training. SVSAR volunteers patrolled shoreline, river and reservoir throughout the day by foot, raft and jet boat. Search personnel also contracted for a helicopter to fly low over the search area with no sightings reported. Specially- trained K-9 rescue dogs were also deployed on boats to assist in finding underwater victims. Morning and evening checks of the search area are being done by SVSAR volunteers and Bridger-Teton river personnel.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest sends condolences to the friends and family of Joel Fegarido, and thanks all Star Valley professional volunteers & emergency personnel, commercial whitewater guides, and unidentified Good Samaritans that assisted with helping the 10-year-old to shore who began searching as soon as the victim's absence was noted.
Jackson District Ranger Dale Deiter commented, “We are hoping that everyone will wear life jackets when in or near moving water, and hope nobody relates this tragedy with commercial outfitter river operations that have excellent safety records over the past 40+ years.”
Lincoln County, Wyoming Sheriff's Office suspects the victim may have possibly drown, but this has not been confirmed.
The victim and family were not related to any boating activities.
For more information please contact Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at (800) 447-9001 or Nan Stinson at (307) 276-5826.