Search continues for out-of-state man who fell into Snake River

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Search and Rescue teams have renewed efforts on Friday morning to recover an out-of-state man who fell into the Snake River along the Idaho Falls Greenbelt Thursday night.

Search and rescue teams are lookin for John Green, 54, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

According to the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, the man was visiting Idaho Falls with a co-worker when he slipped on the rocks near the falls and fell into the water. Investigators say the fall from the water is about 15 feet, and the water in that area is estimated to be more than forty-seven feet deep.

This morning, Police, fire personnel, drone operators, and boat crews have been spread across the downtown corridor of the Snake River. However, Sgt. Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office says the search has been complicated by the dangerous conditions of the water.

“Most frustrating part is that the water currents are making boats hard to navigate and unsafe for divers," said Sgt. Lovell.

He adds that the strong currents make it impossible for sonar tech to go into the water. For now, the search remains active as crews continue to look for any clues along the Snake River.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as the search continues.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Search and Rescue teams are looking for a man who may have fallen into the Snake River and never surfaced.

The search in the water has been called off as of Thursday evening and will resume Friday morning.

The call came in at 3:52 p.m. of a person was in the water near the area of the Broadway Bridge.

The Sheriff’s Office says, “Deputies learned the victim was from out of state, visiting Idaho Falls with a co-worker and looking at the falls, when he slipped on the rocks and fell in.” The man went into the river just above the Broadway Bridge.

The Sheriff's Office said in a statement, "Water levels and strong currents in the area prevented divers from safely entering the water. Surface, sonar and drone resources were utilized to search into the early evening. Sheriff’s Deputies and rescue personnel plan to resume search efforts tomorrow morning at daylight. Current water conditions along the Snake River are at very high levels and extremely swift. Visibility in the water is limited with floating and sub-surface debris. Additionally water temperatures are in the low 40’s, making the ability to self rescue extremely difficult."

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is available.