06/03/2026
Mission Recap – Multi-Day Search and Vehicle Recovery, Highway 55
On May 31, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue was requested by the Valley County Sheriff's Office to assist with a search and recovery operation following a vehicle crash into the North Fork of the Payette River near Smiths Ferry.
Over multiple operational periods, IMSARU volunteers worked alongside the Valley County Sheriff's Office, Valley County Search and Rescue, Idaho State Police, Boise County Sheriff's Office, Idaho Transportation Department, Cascade Fire Department, and the FBI's Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST). Search efforts included ground teams, drone operations, investigative support, and detailed searches of both sides of the river corridor.
On June 1, IMSARU's Technical Rescue Team assisted with a complex vehicle recovery operation in challenging river conditions. Working in close coordination with Code Red Towing, and an expert kayaker from Cascade Raft & Kayak, teams established rope systems and rigging to safely access and remove the vehicle from the river. The operation was completed without incident, and no occupants were found inside the vehicle.
Search efforts continued throughout the incident as teams gathered information, refined search plans, and conducted ongoing searches of the river corridor. Drone teams, ground searchers, and planning team members worked together to follow up on new information and ensure all viable areas were thoroughly evaluated.
This mission highlights the value of strong interagency coordination, and we are grateful for the collaboration and professionalism of everyone involved.
Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones affected by this incident.