CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

JUNE 3, 2010

Five-year-old boy drowns in Dworshak Reservoir

   A five-year-old Latah, WA, boy drowned in Dworshak Reservoir Saturday, May 29, according to the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office. The boy, Joseph M. Cook, son of Justin and Lynn Cook, was pronounced dead after he was recovered by dive team members about 16 feet under the surface.

   According to the report Cook drowned after apparently slipping into deep water while throwing rocks from the shore for the family dog. Cook and his family had been camped at Elk Creek Mini Camp along the reservoir since Thursday, May 27.

   The sheriff’s office received a call that the boy was missing just after 11 a.m. Saturday. After locating Cook rescuers administered CPR while he was taken by boat to the Bruce’s Eddy boat ramp. From there he was taken to Clearwater Valley Hospital by helicopter with Back Country Medics where he was pronounced dead.

   The Clearwater County Search and Rescue Team responded to the search with dive rescue and ATV teams. Idaho Department of Fish and Game assisted with transportation of personnel to the campground and Corps of Engineers’ park rangers and resource managers also responded to the incident.