Sheriff’s dive team recovers body from Spokane River

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office dive team is recovering a body from the Spokane River in Riverfront Park. The body is believed to be that of an unidentified man, about 23 years old, that entered the river about 2:30 a.m. Sunday near the big red wagon in Riverfront Park. It is unclear why or how he ended up in the river. Bruce Moline, battalion chief with the Spokane Fire Department, which is also aiding in the search, said they scoured the area for hours Sunday, but the search did not turn up a victim. Today, the Sheriff’s Office and the fire department launched a recovery operation. The man’s body was found just downstream, near the Loof Carousel. It is unknown if alcohol was involved, Moline said. Avista officials lowered the water to aid in the search. It’s the second body found in the river in less than 24 hours. The body of a man was found Sunday afternoon near the 2000 block of South Riverton Avenue. Police said it appears to be that of a man who reportedly was distraught on Saturday evening. Spokane police detectives continue to investigate that man’s death.