Woman drowns after trying to save rafter knocked out of boat
CROUCH, Idaho (KBOI) - A rafter died on the Payette River Sunday evening, the Boise County Sheriff's Office say.
Boise County says a group of rafters launched their boat near the Danskin Campground off the Banks/Lowman Highway, which is about six to eight miles from Crouch.
Soon after, officials say, a female rafter got knocked out of the boat by a rapid near Milepost 17. She was not wearing a life jacket.
A second female, identified as Tracy Marlo Ruby, 44, of Meridian, and her boyfriend jumped out of the boat to help the rafter in the water.
Officials say Ruby was not able to get back in the raft, and drowned.
Ruby was also not wearing a life jacket. Her body was later found near Alder Creek.
Fellow rafters were able to get the first woman back into the boat OK.
The sheriff's office says Ruby's 6-year-old son was also in the raft at the time. They say the boy was turned over to Child Protection Services until family could be notified.
"It's just not safe," said Deputy Chief Dale Rogers. "There are a million reasons why you don't float the river without a life jacket."
Boise County says a group of rafters launched their boat near the Danskin Campground off the Banks/Lowman Highway, which is about six to eight miles from Crouch.
Soon after, officials say, a female rafter got knocked out of the boat by a rapid near Milepost 17. She was not wearing a life jacket.
A second female, identified as Tracy Marlo Ruby, 44, of Meridian, and her boyfriend jumped out of the boat to help the rafter in the water.
Officials say Ruby was not able to get back in the raft, and drowned.
Ruby was also not wearing a life jacket. Her body was later found near Alder Creek.
Fellow rafters were able to get the first woman back into the boat OK.
The sheriff's office says Ruby's 6-year-old son was also in the raft at the time. They say the boy was turned over to Child Protection Services until family could be notified.
"It's just not safe," said Deputy Chief Dale Rogers. "There are a million reasons why you don't float the river without a life jacket."
