Man drowns in Spokane River

COEUR D’ALENE, ID — A Spokane Valley man drowned near North Idaho College Beach on Saturday July 1 according to reports.

According to a press release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Ismail Bilmece, 35, was swimming in the Spokane River and went underwater.

The sheriff’s office said a marine deputy quickly found Bilmece, and first responders attempted life saving measures when he was on land.

Bilmece was taken to Kootenai Health, where he was pronounced dead.