Idaho Man Survives Frigid Fall Into Snake River

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Doctors at Portneuf Medical Center say a 42-year-old Pocatello man is lucky to be alive after his canoe capsized during a weekend duck hunting trip on the Snake River.

Strong winds prevented Michael Jones and another man from returning to shore. Jones' brother, Thomas, called 911. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services warden who responded walked out into the frigid water up to his chest and pulled the canoe closer to shore so other members of the hunting party could grab the men.

Jones lost consciousness. Emergency responders performed CPR on him on the way to the hospital. Doctors put him on a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, which pumped warmed, oxygenated blood through his body. Dr. Jacob DeLaRosa says they were able to restart his heart after about 30 minutes.