Priest River Man Dies After Truck Gets Submerged In Water - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Priest River Man Dies After Truck Gets Submerged In Water

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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BONNER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: On February 19, 2013, at 6:55 p.m., the Bonner County Sheriff's Office, Bonner County EMS and the West Pend Oreille Fire District were dispatched to a reported vehicle in the water located at Bear Paw Road and Highway 57. The vehicle was occupied and submerged up to the window opening. 

Sheriff's Office dive team personnel arrived on scene and entered the 27.5 degree water. Dive team personal were challenged with the strong current trying to open the door and free the driver. With help of rescue personnel on shore, the driver was pulled from the vehicle with use of ropes and a harness. 

The driver, 75 year old Gary Allen of Priest River, was transported to Newport Hospital and then transferred to Sacred Heart Hospital where he passed away due to complications presumably due to exposure. 

The cause of the accident is under investigation by members of the Bonner County Sheriff's Office.