Family members of 21-year-old Everette Jackson are searching for him after he went missing while tubing out in Idaho.
Officials say he fell into the Payette River after rafting over the weekend and disappeared into fast-moving water. Everette, who played for the Louisiana State University Eunice basketball team was in town visiting his girlfriend when the incident occurred. His girlfriend reportedly told his family that the water was too strong, which caused him to fall into the water.
Everette’s sister Meagan Jackson spoke with KLFY and said, “It hurts so bad because she visited him, and we sent her back home safe to her family, and we couldn’t get the same flavor in return.”
His family arrived in Idaho with one-way tickets to help join the search in locating him.
“We are terrified. We’re praying. We’re keeping the faith, but this is something we never intend in life we would have to experience,” Meagan also said. “He’s never been without us, and I know he’s scared, and me as his older sister knowing he’s scared is hurting me, but I’m trying to keep strong for my mom. My biggest focus is finding my brother and bringing him back home to my mom safe.”
Earlier this week the Gem County Sherriff’s Office released a statement about the waters at Payette River and said,
The Gem County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) continues to search the Payette River west of the Washington Street bridge in Emmett and downstream towards Letha. GCSO received a report that on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at approximately 8:00 p.m., twenty-two-year-old Everett Jackson fell from a raft along the river and is currently missing. Jackson’s family has been notified. GCSO continues to search by jet ski and jet boat and asks that the public stay clear of the river as they search. The Payette River is currently flowing at a rate that presents a danger to anyone not using a motorized craft.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as this story develops.
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TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94
