Rescuers pull bicyclist from river

SAGLE — A young man was plucked from the Pend Oreille River late Friday night after he reportedly crashed his bicycle into a guardrail on the pedestrian side of the Long Bridge and went over the side of the span.

A passing motorist apparently saw the crash and called Bonner Dispatch, triggering an automatic mutual aid response from the Sagle Fire District and the Sandpoint Fire Department.

“It was a two-tiered response,” Sagle Fire Chief Robert Webber said on Saturday.

Sandpoint firefighters set up a rope-rescue apparatus from the bridge deck while Sagle firefighters deployed an inflatable Zodiac rescue vessel from shore.

“He was clinging to a pylon in the water, which was probably a good thing because that water was moving pretty fast,” Webber said.

The victim was hoisted up between the Long Bridge and the pedestrian bridge. Webber estimated the victim was in the water for about 25 minutes.

“He was definitely suffering from hypothermia,” said Webber.

The victim’s age and identity were not disclosed. He was reportedly riding his bike northbound when he pitched over the side near the south end of the bridge. The incident was reported shortly before 11 p.m. It was not immediately clear if intoxication factored into the crash.

Sandpoint Police, Bonner EMS and Bonner County sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene.