The Star Valley Search and Rescue spent eight hours on Father’s Day helping to recover a submerged car in the Snake River. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY SVSAR)

The Star Valley Search and Rescue was called out to assist with a submerged car over the weekend. It was the second time in as many weeks that the team had to utilize their water training in the various locations in the valley.

“We were paged out along with Alpine Fire and Alpine EMS for a car in the river with unknown occupants,” replied Commander Matt McMurdo. “When we arrived we found out the occupants had already been taken to St. Johns and we were called in to assist Suloff’s because it was 15 feet out in the Snake River.”

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McMurdo said that while the water responses are not common, they show the need for training before the call comes in. An eight-hour day pulling a car out of the river came just a few days after a multi-day search for Ned Eddins, a 93-year old man who was found deceased in Swift Creek Canyon.

“This is the first one we’ve dealt with in a few years but this is the second one this year,” he added. “We were out there for eight hours on Father’s Day just two days after that search for Mr. Eddins. It took a lot of us.”

McMurdo pointed out that the response to the Lunch Counter area included both jet boats and 20 members of the organization. It highlights the needs and equipment of the first responders who will have their main fundraiser on July 4 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in the form of the Ranch Rodeo.

All the training and equipment that we have is from donations and from that rodeo to stay trained,” McMurdo concluded. “It helps us do exactly what we just did with those last two calls.”

*Editor’s Note: In the space of time between publication posting this story online, the Star Valley Search and Rescue responded to yet another water incident which claimed the life of an 89-year old woman. Read more about this incident here and please consider supporting SVSAR by attending the upcoming Ranch Rodeo.