Man drowns In Spokane River

COEUR d'ALENE — A Spokane Valley man drowned near the North Idaho College Beach on Saturday.

The victim was identified as Ismail Bilmece, 35.

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, marine deputies were flagged down in the early afternoon on the Spokane River and told a man might be drowning.

A marine deputy entered the water and quickly found the victim, a press release said.

The man was brought to shore, where personnel with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and KCSO began lifesaving measures, the release said.

The man was transported to Kootenai Health, where he was pronounced deceased.

“I am very proud of our marine team and commend the team for their heroic acts, placing themselves in harm’s way while making every effort to rescue and revive Bilmece," said KCSO Sheriff Bob Norris.