UPDATE: Dwayne Knapton was originally listed in critical condition at Kootenai Health.
Despite life saving efforts, medical personnel were unable to revive him. Mr. Knapton
succumbed to his hypothermic injuries on 11/28/12.
KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho - At about 1 PM Wednesday, deputies from the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported boat crash in the Medicine Lake area, near Medimont, ID.
A passerby traveling on Highway 3, noticed two men clinging to a submerged ten foot jon boat. He called 911 and also flagged down a Fish and Game Officer. Two Idaho State Fish and Game Officers launched their airboat into Medicine Lake, and retrieved the two men from the water.
The two were identified as Dwayne Knapton, 52 years old from Osburn, ID and Michael Jensen, 51 years old of Pinehurst. The two had been duck hunting on Medicine Lake and at some point after retrieving a downed duck, one of them shifted their weight, causing the boat to list to one side, allowing water to pour into the boat, capsizing it. The two men, who had life jackets on board, but were not wearing them, clung to the boat until they were rescued.
Jensen and Knapton were both hypothermic when they were taken from the water. Knapton was taken by Medstar Air Ambulance to Kootenai Health where he is currently listed in critical condition. Jenson was treated at the scene and released.
They had been in the water for an estimated 30-45 minutes prior to being rescued. The water temperature was about 40 degrees.
The KCSO Recreation Safety Section is continuing its investigation. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in the incident. More information will be released when it's available.
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