Body of drowned man recovered near Corbin Park in Post Falls in second apparent drowning this weekend

The body of a Hauser Lake man who fell into the Spokane River in Corbin Park while kayaking Saturday evening was found Sunday morning, the second drowning at the Post Falls park in as many days, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

The 61-year-old man, who was not identified by authorities, fell into the river after launching a kayak holding two life jacket-wearing children around 4:45 p.m., according to a news release. The kayak hit some rapids and all three occupants were sent overboard. The children reached short. The man, who was not wearing a life jacket, didn’t.

A dive team was unable to find the man after four hours of searching Saturday evening. Authorities reported recovering the man’s body around 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

The incident Saturday followed a reported drowning Friday evening under similar circumstances. A 35-year-old Spokane Valley man drowned while trying to retrieve his wife and child from a kayak that had capsized at Corbin Park just before 6 p.m. Friday. The woman and child, who were wearing life jackets, made it to safety. The man who jumped in was not wearing a life jacket.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office urges those who want to go on the water not to travel below the Spokane River dam while it’s open, due to rapidly changing water conditions. Those who enter the river should also wear a life jacket.

An investigation into both events is continuing.