RedactedNarrative: Vessel 1 entered the rapid at Cutthroat Cove.  The boat operator had watched prior boats navigate the rapid.  Operator turned boat to paddle backwards.  Front of vessel hit a rock causing it to turn sideways into the large rock in the middle of the channel.  One passenger was immediately thrown out, another jumped out soon after impact.  The third passenger (Victim) and operator (Operator1) remained on the vessel.  Victim had a line wrapped around his leg.  Victim attempted to free his leg with Operator1 holding onto him and pulling him out of the water for a breath.  Operator1 stated Victim caught a large wave in the face and approximately a minute later Victim's body went limp.  Operator1 let go in attempt to get Victim free, and Victim's shirt and life preserver were washed off in the current.  Operator1 pulled Victim up by the arms and stated he was limp.  Operator1 got his knife to cut the rope when a wave washed him off the rock.  Operator1 stated the bowline was cut and air released from the raft which released Victim's body.  Operator1 stated the body floated face down about 40 yards below the rock and then sank.
  
  SALMON — Lemhi County Sheriff deputies are investigating a possible drowning in the Frank Church Wilderness area.
  
  NEWS REPORT- EastIdahonews.com
  On Tuesday, at about 3:40 p.m., the Lemhi County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call by satellite phone that there was a boat accident on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. With the help of the US Forest Service the Sheriffs office was able to narrow the location to a ten mile section on Salmon River. A rescue helicopter from Flat Head County, Montana was dispatched to assist in the mission. 
  
  During the course of the mission the Sheriff’s Office Learned that 46 year old Victim of Lyman Wyoming, formally of Challis, was the victim of a boating accident and presumed to have drowned. The accident occurred near the Cutthroat Cove area on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. An aerial search of the area was continued as long as day light allowed but was unsuccessful. 
  
  Air and watercraft activities will resume today in the recovery effort.
  