Coroner identifies Idaho kayaker who died in Boise River after water rescue
This is a breaking news story. Check back to idahostatesman.com for updates.
To sign up for breaking news alerts, click here.
An Idaho man died after his kayak flipped over on the Boise River, the Meridian Fire Department said in a news release.
The agency said firefighters responded to a water rescue call around 2:55 p.m. Monday along the Boise River, near the 2200 block of West Duck Alley Road, after two kayaks struck a tree and flipped over. Eagle resident James Laughlin died after he was trapped underneath a log inside his kayak, according to the fire department and the Ada County Coroner’s Office.
Ada County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene and attempted to free Laughlin, but “the force of the water was too powerful,” according to the Fire Department release. By 4 p.m. firefighters were able to reach Laughlin by removing enough vegetation, but he’d already died. He was 69.
According to the Coroner’s Office, Laughlin died from drowning. His death was ruled an accident.
“Yesterday’s tragedy is a stark reminder that this stretch of the river is extremely dangerous and not meant for recreation,” the Fire Department said in the news release, adding that the untrimmed trees make rescues “incredibly dangerous” for first responders.
“Unlike the Boise River near Barber Park, this stretch is not maintained and can be extremely dangerous to individuals trying to recreate, including swimming and kayaking,” the department continued.
