Autopsy pending in drowning death

IONE — An autopsy is pending after a 37-year-old Spokane man drowned while trying disentangle a log from a dock line in the Pend Oreille River on Friday.

Pend Oreille County Undersheriff Geoff Rusho said John A. Nelson was attending a family gathering at the time of his death.

Rusho said high flows in the river are washing logs and other debris downstream, causing it to become hung up on shoreline infrastructure.

“He went under and didn’t come back up,” Rusho said.

The sheriff’s terrestrial and marine patrols attempted to locate Nelson. First responders from fire districts 2 and 4 also attempted to find Nelson.

The search was called off after extending into the overnight hours, according to sheriff’s officials. Another search party was formed on Saturday, which was augmented by a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office dive team.

Nelson was found approximately 50 feet downstream in about six feet of water.

The drowning and its contributing factors remained under investigation on Tuesday.

“We’re requesting an autopsy,” said Rusho, adding that toxicological testing is also pending.

Rusho said there was alcohol present at the gathering, although it was unclear on Tuesday whether it factored into the mishap.

“We don’t know for sure,” Rusho said.

The sheriff’s office is urging river users to be cautious due to the high flows and debris.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.