Cliff diver in critical condition after Twin Lakes mishap

A cliff diver was transported to Kootenai Health Thursday night after failing to surface while cliff diving on the Lower Twin Lakes near Rathdrum.

According to a press release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Brady M. Spillane, 23, of Greenacres, Wash., was diving with friends off a cliff on the west side of Lower Twin, and went missing in the water after a dive around 5:15 p.m. His possible drowning was reported to the Sheriff’s Office, which dispatched vessels with its Dive Rescue team and units from the Northern Lakes Fire District.

Divers were quickly able to locate Spillane at a depth of approximately 26 feet and return him to the surface. Rescuers immediately started life-saving measures while transporting Spillane to the boat ramp, where he was then transported via ambulance to Kootenai Health.

Spillane remains in critical condition.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office asks that when recreating in and around water, swimmers and divers take extra precautions. Divers should know the depth of water they are diving into, watch out for other divers, and use personal floation devices.