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Idaho Falls Firefighters honored for saving boy in capsized boat

159 views · Published 9 March 2017 · 1:37 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: East Idaho News · 2017 · News & Politics

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IDAHO FALLS -- Members of the Idaho Falls Fire Department were honored last week for saving a 4-year-old boy who became trapped in a boat after it overturned on the Snake River last spring.

"The boat had capsized in the river below the falls with people in the water and a child trapped below the boat," Idaho Falls Fire Battalion Chief Lance Johnson says.

16 firefighters rushed to the river and immediately began rescue efforts.  They learned two men and two children were  fishing on the river when their boat turned over.

Crews were able to get three people out of the water but 4-year-old Jacob Davey was still trapped in the boat.

"Our crews were able to get a rope around the boat and pull it closer to shore as we worked to get the boat right side up," Johnson says.

After 15 minutes, firefighters pulled Jacob from the boat and raced him to shore.  He was in critical condition and had severe hypothermia but the cold water may have actually saved his life.

"Children respond well coming out of a cold water drowning as compared to an adult," Johnson says.  "Even though his situation was dire, the elements of the cold water gave him a fighting chance."

Five days later, Jacob was released from the hospital.  A few weeks later, at an Idaho Falls City Council meeting, he and his family thanked the brave men and women who saved his life and the others who were fishing with him that evening.

Last Thursday, the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho honored the Idaho Falls Department as one some of east Idaho's real heroes. The firefighters accepted their award during a luncheon.

"I’m extremely proud of all of the firefighters that worked on one of the most complicated difficult rescues we’ve ever performed," Johnson says. "They performed professionally, heroically, and did a fantastic job."

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