Bingham County Sheriff’s Office releases name of drowning victim
BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) - UPDATE 5/20/24: With permission from the family, the Bingham County Sheriff's Office has now released the name of the drowning victim from last week.
Officials say Michael “Alix” Fox of Osgood disappeared on the Snake River Thursday.
"Our hearts go out to his parents, Marcus and Chandalee Beck, and all of the wonderful family and friends affected by his loss. We were able to spend time with them during the search process and they are great people," the sheriff's office said. "We can’t imagine what it feels like to lose such a vibrant, loving, and kind young man. May he rest in peace and his legacy live on through all that had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be dearly missed."
UPDATE: The Bingham County Sheriff's Office says they have found the body of a man who went missing on the Snake River.
"This is not the time for all of the details. However, we somberly report a successful recovery," the sheriff’s office said in a news release Friday night.
PREVIOUS UPDATE: 4:40 p.m. - Recovery efforts are persevering despite the windy conditions Friday.
The Bingham County Sheriff's Office said there is a large combination of sheriff’s office and Search and Rescue personnel with active Marine and Dive elements in play at various locations from the point of last seen to the Tilden area.
At the respectful request of the family, officials are still going to hold the name of the male involved.
Divers are reporting less than 18 inches of visibility and water temps fluctuating in the 50’s. They have been able to reach cavities that are approximately 35’ deep with the use of additional weights. The visibility factor, along with over 6,000 CFM flow and lots of debris, is limiting deployment of one of their resources, Jayden’s Drone.
Marine staff are limited to larger, more powerful vessels due to the winds. The violent water surface causes instability that renders our sonar capabilities useless.The winds have also eliminated any successfully sustained drone deployments for aerial surveillance.
The sheriff's office is currently utilizing visual methods to trace water flow from the point of last seen.
"We ask our amazing public to be watchful in any areas of the bank that are visible to them in the course of their day to day travels. Today isn’t one for recreation, but if tomorrow’s weather permits we ask the recreating public to be careful and vigilant," the sheriff's office said. "Special thanks to Bingham County Assessor Donavan Harrington for providing breakfast and Bingham County Commissioner Mark Bair for providing lunch for the crews."
For reference, the video above is right near the area of last seen.
ORIGINAL: The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office will continue to search Friday morning for a 24-year-old man who fell in the Snake River Thursday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office reported in a social media post the man was riding on a homemade pontoon raft at the BLM River access around 1100 N on West River Road, north of Firth. He fell in without a flotation device.
The sheriff’s office said two friends who were with him attempted to rescue him, but the swift water made it difficult. They called the sheriff’s office around 4:15 p.m.
Search and rescue used Marine and Dive elements to search for the man.
The raft was recovered approximately 400 yards south of where the man was last seen on the west bank of the river.
Air Idaho and a drone were used to search for the man in the water and on land.
The sheriff’s office has not released the man’s name.
The sheriff’s office urges people to avoid the area. The water is high, swift, cold, and full of debris.
