Idaho Falls law enforcement officials have identified an 88-year-old man who fell into the Snake River last Sunday, according to a report from eastidahonews.com. The victim has been named as Teng Go of Arizona.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. near the Broadway Bridge in Idaho Falls. According to police details, Go was standing on rocks along the riverbank when he slipped and fell into the water. Emergency responders from the Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and Idaho Falls Fire Department arrived at the scene immediately.
Search Operations Underway
Specialized rescue units were deployed to locate Go following the fall. The county Dive and Rescue team utilized boats and jet skis to scour the area where the man entered the river. Divers began searching the specific zone, while search teams also employed sonar technology and drones to aid in the recovery effort.
Sgt. Bryan Lovell provided updates on the operational challenges posed by the river’s conditions. “They’re trying to work around that best they can without compromising the safety of a diver,” Lovell told the EastIdahoNews.com regarding the difficulty of navigating the current. He added, “They’re doing everything they can.”
The rugged terrain and swift currents of the Snake River in this section have proven hazardous for visitors. Chaplains of Idaho responded to the scene on Sunday to provide assistance to Go’s family during the search operations.
History of River Incidents
This event marks another dangerous encounter with the river in recent months. In June, 54-year-old John Green of Louisiana also fell into the Snake River while looking at the falls near rocks. That location was described as similar to the site of Go’s fall.
Authorities noted that water conditions remained about the same between the June incident and Sunday’s event. Despite extensive search efforts, Green has not been located. The recurrence of incidents in this area highlights the persistent risks posed by the river’s rocky banks and strong currents.
Residents and visitors in Idaho Falls are reminded to exercise caution near the Snake River, particularly around the Broadway Bridge area where the terrain can be unstable. Local emergency services continue to monitor the situation as search efforts proceed.