Three Injured In River Accident Personal Watercraft Sucked Under Log By Strong Current

A Bonners Ferry man and two Post Falls residents suffered minor injuries and hypothermia Tuesday when their personal watercraft was sucked under log booms on the Spokane River near U.S. Highway 95.

All three were reported in stable condition Wednesday.

Samantha Prompuck, 26, of Post Falls was operating the craft and carrying Donald H. Harms, 26, of Bonners Ferry as a passenger. The two were pulling Post Falls resident David C. Dickerson, 23, on a knee board when Dickerson fell off and swam to a log boom in the current, according to police reports.

As Prompuck tried to return to pick up Dickerson, the ski rope became entangled in the logs and the strong current pulled the craft underwater, leaving all three occupants in the river.

Dickerson was taken to Kootenai Medical Center with minor injuries and all three suffered mild hypothermia after spending 30 minutes in the water before attracting the attention of someone on shore.

All three were wearing life jackets and neoprene wetsuits, which probably saved them from more serious injury, said Sgt. Dan Soumas.

, DataTimes