Idaho Falls, ID – This morning at 8:00 AM, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team resumed the search for a 23 year old female whom allegedly fell into the river last night around 11:40 PM. 

According to Sergeant Karl Casperson who leads the dive team, 10 team members were deployed. Casperson said the team searched a 5-mile stretch of the river several times today using divers, two jet skis and three boats. Approximately 15 members of the volunteer-based Search and Rescue Team also searched the land area around the river. Idaho Falls Fire Department had EMTs on the scene to assist and Idaho Falls Power has assisted with checking water grates.

“We will be out here during the weekend until we find something,” said Sergeant Casperson. They expect to resume the search tomorrow using jet skis.

Idaho Falls Police hoped to find evidence from above, as they deployed the first official test flight of the department’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilot program. The IFPD sought and received an Emergency Certificate of Authorization from the FAA to deploy the drone. The authorization allowed the IFPD to fly the drone for the purpose of the search only and for a period of two hours.

The department’s test drone is a consumer-grade drone, which is an inexpensive model with a 12 megapixel video camera. The department is using the test drone to determine which types of incidents a drone could be useful, how much monetary savings could result from its use, and what equipment would meet the department’s needs.

No evidence of the woman has been found yet, but the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department will continue to collaborate, investigate and search for the woman.

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Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Contact:                        Idaho Falls Police Dept. Contact:
Sgt. Bryan Lovell                                                                    Holly Cook

Crime Prevention/PIO                                                              Public Information Officer

Office: 208-529-1350 ex. 1065                                                 Office: (208) 612-8655
Cell: 208-317-8430                                                                   Cell: (208) 589-3091

[email protected]                                                      [email protected]

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Original IFPD release: 10:07 AM, Thursday, May 10, 2018:

Idaho Falls Police and Bonneville County Dive Team investigating report of woman falling in river

Idaho Falls, ID – At 11:40 PM on May 9, Idaho Falls Public Safety Dispatch received a report alleging that a 23 year old female had fallen into the river on the south side of the Broadway Bridge near the Marriott hotel. The reporting party alleged that the woman slipped on driftwood and fell in the water. 

Idaho Falls Police and Idaho Falls Fire departments responded immediately and began searching the area. The Bonneville County Search and Rescue Dive Team responded and began searching for more than an hour, but due to the water conditions of extreme cold, swift current and difficulty seeing in the dark, the dive search was suspended until 8:00 AM on Thursday. The team resumed at 8:00 and the search is currently underway. 

Idaho Falls Police and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team are diligently searching for evidence of the incident. IFPD detectives are investigating the report and checking resources in the area to obtain other information. The investigation is expected to take some time to complete.

 Law enforcement also wishes to remind the public to be very careful near waterways.

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