The Lemhi County Sheriff says a 59-year old Montana man drowned Friday while rafting along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.  Sheriff says the victim was floating the river with a private group when his rubber raft flipped over.  The accident occurred about five miles from where the Middle Fork of the Salmon River connects to the main Salmon River.  The victims death is being ruled as an accidental drowning, but an autopsy will be conducted to determine if he had a medical issue prior to falling into the river.  The Sheriff's office said the river was flowing very high and fast the day of the accident.  When they set out on May 31, it was flowing much lower and slower.    Another group that set out on the same stretch of river on Saturday had a rough trip.  Three boats flipped, everone got out safely but there were some minor injuries.  Two of the boats were not recovered.
UPDATE:
The victim was rowing from a center-mount fow frame in a 14 ft Star raft and had two passengers up front paddeling.  The vessel entered Hancock rapids which was currently around a class IV + rapid.  The vessel was struck by a wave on the port side, capsized and threw all 3 occupants into the water.  The accident was witnessed by 12 friends.  The victim became instantly incapacitated and would not reach for a throw rope and it appeared that his eyes had rolled into the back of his head.  The victim floated through several rapids and was next observed to be face down.  A witness jumped into the water and grabbed the victim and both were pulled to shore.  CPR was initiated and continued for approximately 45 minutes before being discontinued.  The victim was then transported to the confluences of the Middle Fork and main Salmon River where Forest Service personel contacted the Sheriff's office.  The other two passengers were pulled safely from the river, suffering mild hypothermia only.
Salmon                        