Officer In Powered Chute Believed Drowned

Lemhi County authorities are searching the Salmon River for a sheriff’s deputy believed drowned as he was flying a powered parachute.

Bill Inman, 57, was last seen Saturday afternoon flying up and down the river. He may have been searching for a toddler believed drowned on Dec. 22.

At daybreak Sunday morning, his aircraft was found in the river south of town. Searchers used drift boats, jet boats, two powered parachutes and airplanes to cover the river from daylight to dusk Sunday.

Inman’s machine was resting in the river just 30 yards from the spot where the pickup of Colin Hardinger of Challis was found last June. Hardinger, who apparently drove off into the river, was presumed drowned. His body, though, has never been recovered.

Lemhi County Sheriff Brett Barsalou said his office did not know of Inman’s disappearance until early Sunday when Inman’s wife called to report he was missing.

Officials believe an 18-month-old girl may have drowned in the river. Despite extensive searches, her body has not been found.