RATHDRUM, Idaho – Kootenai Health officials confirmed Friday afternoon that the man injured while cliff jumping at Twin Lakes has died.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office responded to the west side of Lower Twin Lakes around 5:15 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses said Brady Spillane, 23, of Greenacres, Washington, was diving with friends from a cliff. After landing in the water, witnesses said Spillane did not come back to the surface.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Recreation Safety Section, Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Dive Rescue team and units from Northern Lakes Fire responded to the Par 3 Golf Course Rd. boat Ramp to get boats in the water with divers. Officials said divers were able to quickly locate Spillane in 26 feet of water and bring him to the surface.
Divers and fire crews started life saving measures while transporting him to the boat ramp. He was then transported to Kootenai Health via ambulance.
Neighbors said the cliffs where they believe this happened is a pretty popular area for cliff jumping because it is the deepest part of the lake. John Klingaman has lived across from the cliffs for 15 years and said he has always seen cliff-divers there.
"You always think the worst can happen and hope they got their wits about them, haven't been drinking or doing whatever and are making sound decisions," Klingaman said.