Water-related accidents tragically claimed the lives of two men over the weekend.
William M. Datthyn, 45, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died while tubing in the Franklin County area on Sunday, according to law enforcement officials. John Meithof, 54, of Burley died while fishing in Minidoka County on Friday.
The most recent accident occurred when Datthyn, a retired New York City police officer who currently worked as a court bailiff for the Las Vegas County Sheriff’s Office, was tubing in the Bear River, near the Red Point campground, in the Oneida Narrows on Sunday afternoon, according to Franklin County sheriff’s officials.
Witnesses reported that Datthyn’s tube deflated and he was swept into the rapids. He then struck some rocks, officials said.
Family members — one of those on scene was an off-duty police officer for Logan City — pulled Datthyn from about three feet of water, sheriff’s officials said, adding that the victim’s head was reportedly submerged at that time.
There were efforts to revive the man through CPR. But officials said those efforts had been discontinued by the time they arrived on scene, and it was apparent that the man had died.
The victim’s body was transported to Franklin County Medical Center in Preston.
An autopsy was later performed to help determine the exact cause of death, but the results weren’t available as of Tuesday afternoon.
“We send our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Datthyn,” according to a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office news release. “We are sorry for the tragic loss of a loved one.”
The second accident occurred in the Snake River below the Minidoka Dam on Friday evening.
John Meithof and his wife, Lori Meithof, 40, were fishing when they were swept away by the current, according to Minidoka County sheriff’s officials, who added that neither individual was wearing a life jacket.
Nearby boaters were able to rescue Lori, but they could not locate John.
Jerome and Cassia county sheriff’s offices, Mini-Cassia Search and Rescue, Life Flight and several citizens assisted in a multi-day search for John, according to Minidoka County sheriff’s officials. Two citizens eventually found his remains on Monday, within a mile from where he was last seen.
“The Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those who assisted in the search,” according to a news release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.”
Following Friday’s accident, sheriff’s officials are reminding the public to wear life jackets while recreating on the water. They say that even though they are sometimes inconvenient, they can help save lives.
