Search continues for North Carolina man presumed drowned in Snake River Canyon
AFTON (WNE) — Emergency responders planned to resume the search on Monday for a North Carolina man who went missing after jumping into the Snake River over the holiday weekend.
The Alpine Volunteer Fire Department and Star Valley Search & Rescue responded to the scene at roughly 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
According to SVS&R Commander Matt McMurdo, a group of people was recreating at Jumping Rock, a popular place to jump into the Snake River above the Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp, roughly 3 1/2 miles east of Alpine.
According to McMurdo, the man jumped into the river without a life jacket and began to struggle against the current. Multiple attempts were made by other members of the party to rescue him but were unsuccessful.
Upon arrival, the search and rescue crew looked for the man until roughly 9:30 p.m., suspending the search when it became unsafe to continue due to nightfall.
Star Valley Search & Rescue, assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service, resumed search operations Sunday morning and continued through the day using multiple drones, rafts and jet skis. However, efforts were not successful.
Commander McMurdo said recovery operations would resume Monday morning.
The identity of the man has not yet been released by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
This story was published on July 5, 2026.
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