Deputy helps rescue duck hunter

SANDPOINT — An off-duty Bonner County Sheriff’s marine deputy was at the right place at the right time on Saturday.

Deputy Jim Kelly was at his home overlooking the Pend Oreille River when he spotted a person standing in a small rowboat about 20 feet from shore. The subject was attempting to make landfall using a single oar.

But a strong wind was blowing and the rowboat was being swamped by waves, the sheriff’s office said.

Kelly ran to shore and yelled at the person to row to his dock so he could help, but the boater said he was unable to do so. Kelly called 911 and with the help of several neighbors threw a rope to the boater and was pulled into shore.

The 15-year-old boater was ushered into a residence. He was cold and frightened, but otherwise appeared to be OK. Personnel from the Sagle Fire District responded to the scene to perform a medical check.

The teen was underdressed for the weather and did not have any safety equipment aboard. The teen said he had been duck hunting on the north side of the river when winds pushed his vessel toward the opposite banks.

“Our thanks to Deputy Kelly and his neighbors for their quick response, which most likely prevented what could have been a tragedy,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.