June 7th, 2026
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE
Search efforts continue today for a man who fell into the Snake River last Thursday afternoon (June 4th). The man, 54-year-old John Green of Baton Rouge Louisiana, and his co-worker were standing on the bank of the Snake River just above the Broadway Bridge when Green lost footing and fell into the water. Both men had been attending a business seminar in Idaho Falls.
Over the past few days, search and rescue resources from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police and Idaho Falls Fire Department have conducted search operations from just above the Broadway Bridge down to South Tourist Park. Bingham County Sheriff’s Office and Bingham County Search and Rescue resources responded to joined search efforts yesterday (June 6th). Rescue personnel are also working with Idaho Falls Power and the Bureau of Reclamation to monitor water flow through the area, which continue to be challenging due to current conditions.
Search operations have included the use of drone teams, sonar, and surface equipment from boats and from the riverbank. The Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department has also assisted with accommodations and space for emergency resources along the green belt and in South Tourist Park.
As searching continues, Sheriff’s Deputies ask the public to give emergency personnel space to conduct operations safely and efficiently and also be aware of the dangers current water conditions pose to anyone who is on or near the Snake River. Safety on or around the water should be a priority anytime, and particular to this time of year is the dangers associated with high water flow and extremely cold-water temperature making self-rescue the most difficult.
The Green family has expressed heartfelt thanks to the community for the outpouring of support, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
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June 4th, 2026
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE
Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are continuing to search for an adult male who fell into the Snake River this afternoon. Emergency personnel were called to the scene just before 4pm and searched the area just above the Broadway Bridge where the man went in and downstream beyond the Pancheri Bridge until early evening.
Deputies learned the victim was from out of state, visiting Idaho Falls with a co-worker and looking at the falls, when he slipped on the rocks and fell in. Emergency Personnel from the Idaho Falls Police, Idaho Falls Fire Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office responded with water rescue, dive, and drone resources.
Water levels and strong currents in the area prevented divers from safely entering the water. Surface, sonar and drone resources were utilized to search into the early evening. Sheriff’s Deputies and rescue personnel plan to resume search efforts tomorrow morning at daylight.
Current water conditions along the Snake River are at very high levels and extremely swift. Visibility in the water is limited with floating and sub-surface debris. Additionally water temperatures are in the low 40’s, making the ability to self rescue extremely difficult.
Deputies advise anyone who is on or around our waterways to use extreme caution this time of year and pay attention to high river flows and hazards. Conditions are not safe for swimming and difficult to navigate for even the most experienced boaters. Emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye, always consider safety when you are near the water.
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Original Release:
June 4th, 2026
NEWS RELEASE
RE: Water Rescue
Emergency personnel are currently working a water rescue scene in the Snake River below the Broadway Bridge in Idaho Falls. At 3:52pm BCSO Deputies, Idaho Falls PD, and Idaho Falls Fire were dispatched a a report of a person in the water near that area.
Deputies are asking the public to stay clear of the area to allow rescue personnel to work.
