Emergency responders braved a snowstorm Friday to continue the search for a Pocatello boy who disappeared after falling into the Snake River while hunting in southwestern Bingham County.
Jayden Jensen, 16, was last seen around 1 p.m. Wednesday when he fell into the Snake River while trying to retrieve a duck he shot, authorities said.
Jayden was hunting with some friends who called 911 after seeing him fall into the river.
The remote area where the incident occurred is in very rough terrain near McTucker Ponds and the American Falls Reservoir, so Jayden’s friends had to guide in the responding Bingham County sheriff’s deputies via cell phone.
The deputies were soon joined by Bingham County Search and Rescue personnel and sheriff’s office scuba divers and rescue boats.
The search for Jayden continued until dusk on Wednesday evening and resumed around 8 a.m. Thursday until sunset with the Air Idaho emergency helicopter providing help from above both days.
Fort Hall emergency responders joined in the search effort on Thursday and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office personnel were on the scene on Friday along with a cadaver dog.
Authorities said there were six rescue boats searching for Jayden on Friday, more than on any other day. As of Friday night he had still not been found.
Each day 30 to 40 responders including scuba divers have been on the scene searching for the boy.
In addition to the freezing cold water, responders had to deal with muddy and icy conditions at the scene on Wednesday and Thursday that resulted in even four-wheel drive emergency vehicles getting stuck.
Friday’s snowstorm added a new layer of discomfort but the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office said that scuba divers were still in the water nonetheless searching for Jayden.
A nearby warming hut was set up on Friday to help the divers recover after being in the Snake River’s frigid waters.
Authorities said Tooleys restaurant and Stokes supermarket, both in Aberdeen, have provided the responders at the scene with free meals. Bingham County Assessor Donavan Harrington as well as a local family have also provided free food for the responders to thank them for their efforts.
The responders have broadened the search area into the American Falls Reservoir and are launching rescue boats from Sportsman’s Park in Aberdeen as well as from near McTucker Ponds.
The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office said it expects to continue the search every day until Jayden is found. One thing that could cause the search to be temporarily halted is if the Snake River and/or American Falls Reservoir freeze over.
With Friday’s storm bringing colder temps to the region, that’s a definite possibility, authorities said.
The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office is still urging members of the public to stay away from the scene while the search is underway.
The main McTucker Ponds road remains closed to the public to give emergency vehicles easier access to the scene.