By Trend News Line 2024-07-01 17:00:56.
The body of a kayaker who was reported missing near Kootenai Falls in the Libby area last week has been recovered. Jessica Prado was reported missing in the river at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Prado and Jared Satterlund were in a two-person kayak that capsized just below China Rapids.
### Tragic Kayaking Incident
Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short said in a news release that Satterlund tried to help Prado, but he last saw her struggling in an eddy in the river before losing sight of her. They had made arrangements to be picked up above Kootenai Falls. A dog that accompanied them was able to get out of the river along with Satterlund. Searchers eventually found a cooler near the shore above Kootenai Falls and the damaged kayak and other property were recovered below the falls.
Sheriff Short said that Prado’s body was found and recovered from the Kootenai River at around 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. He also noted that the two people were kayaking different sections of the river in the days prior to Wednesday’s incident, and said they were not wearing life vests.
### Recent Drownings in Montana
This marks the fifth confirmed drowning in Montana in recent days:
**Lewis & Clark County:** A man who drowned in the Missouri River near Craig last week has been identified as 71-year-old Danial Francis Gard. Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said on Tuesday that Gard reportedly went overboard trying to retrieve an oar that went into the water. Friends were able to pull him back aboard, but efforts to revive Gard were not successful.
**Glacier County:** The woman who drowned near St. Mary Falls on the east side of Glacier National Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024, has been identified as 26-year-old Gillian Tones from North Apollo, Pennsylvania. Tones slipped on wet, slick rocks and fell into Virginia Creek between St. Mary and Virginia Falls, about 200 yards above the trail bridge. Despite rescue efforts, Tones tragically passed away.
**Flathead County:** A fugitive wanted in North Carolina drowned while running from law enforcement in officers Flathead County. Steven Jeffrey O’Shields was last seen struggling in the Flathead River before his body was recovered by search and rescue teams.
**Ravalli County:** Roger Lee Booth of Charleston, West Virginia, drowned in the Bitterroot River after the raft he was fishing from hit a bridge support pillar and overturned.
**Liberty County:** Kendall Danna of Great Falls, 17 years old, went missing in Lake Elwell, and search efforts are still ongoing to locate her. Various agencies, including Toole County Sheriff’s Office and Two Bear Air, are assisting in the search.
### Conclusion
The recent string of drownings in Montana serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of water activities. It is crucial to always wear appropriate safety gear, such as life vests, and to be aware of weather conditions before venturing out on the water. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in these incidents..
– missing woman recovered from river
– body of woman recovered in Lincoln County.