On July 8, 2023, at 17:26 hours, Stevensville Game Warden responded to a report of a woman (Victim 1) stuck under a log jam on the Bitterroot River near Joe Fishing Access Site (FAS).  Probationary Game Warden was riding with Warden in Warden1''s vehicle when the call was received.  

Warden1 proceeded to Poker Joe FAS where a woman with Search and Rescue was contacted.  The woman did not know where the log jam was located.  Warden1 then heard on the radio about a mile from the FAS so Warden1 and Warden2 headed upstream a mile and looked along the river.  Eventually Warden1 met up with sergeant and the correct location near the end of Luby Lane was found.  

On scene, Search and Rescue personnel could be seen looking through the woody debris in the log jam.

Warden1 spoke with Witness 1.  Witness 1 told Warden1 the following:
	1. 6 adults and two kids had been on the float trip.  This included Witness 1 and his/her two kids.  This also included three members of another family.  The victim''s brother (witness 2) was also present.  Warden1 is unclear if witness 1''s wife was present on the float.
	2. Witness 1 said victim 1 hit the log jam, stood up, then fell back into the water and got swept under the logs. 
	3. Witness 1 also said victim 1 fell again so Victim 1 may have fallen twice during the incident.
	4.Witness 1 said Victim 1 was wearing her lifejacket but it wasn''t zipped up so it popped off very quickly and floated down river (Warden1 was later told that Witness 2 had clarified that subject3 wasn''t wearing  her lifejacket but that she only had it with her on her kayak).
	5. Witness 1 said they had found a shirt and someone else''s lifejacket in the log jam while searching for victim 1.  
	6. Victim 1 was wearing a one piece red swimsuit and her lifejacket was greenish.  

Warden1 discussed this incident with Captain and Captain authorized putting a couple signs up to warn floaters of the danger of the log jam.  Wardens purchased plywood, screws and spray paint.  Signs were made saying, "Hazard, Exit Left Now" with an arrow pointing to the left as well.  These signs were taken down in a day or two when the sheriff''s office removed the log jam in an effort to find Victim 1''s body.

On 6/11/2023 the victims body was located in the log jam.

The incident number for this boating accident is: FWP23CAD003362. 

The Ravali County Sheriff''s Office later provided their report to be attached to this boating accident report.  The Ravalli County Case Report Number is: SO2307-0086.

Bitterroot River
STEVENSVILLE                  