Couple drown in Moyie River

A married couple visiting from Kentucky drowned Saturday morning in the Moyie River as they were fly-fishing in the area, according to Boundary County Emergency Management officials.

The couple were identified as John and Vicki Fourshee, both in their late 60s.

Andrew O'Neel, Boundary County EMS director, said the accident occurred about 9 a.m. near the Twin Rivers Campground at the confluence of the Moyie and Kootenai rivers.

Witnesses told responding deputies that the couple were attempting to cross the Moyie River when John Fourshee slipped and lost his balance and his wife, Vicki Fourshee, attempted to help him. Both were wearing fishing waders, O'Neel said.

Friends of the couple pulled them from the water and were attempting to revive them when a Boundary County Sheriff's deputy arrived on scene. Boundary Ambulance crew continued life-saving efforts when they arrived shortly after the deputy, O'Neel said.

"It was a lot of people trying to help," he said. "Sadly they were not successful."

Boundary County Sheriff’s Office said next of kin have been notified.