Woman drowns while scattering ashes of son in river

Cora Rader, 63, of Winnemucca, Nev., and six others were thrown from the raft Sunday afternoon after it hit a support pillar at the Jerry Creek Bridge, about 3 miles west of Wise River, said Beaverhead County Undersheriff Keith Reeder.

Mrs. Rader was pulled to the bottom of the swiftly moving river, and her life jacket became entangled in a submerged tree, Reeder said. Her body was recovered three hours after the accident.

Craig Rader, 38, had requested that his ashes be scattered on the river "because that was where he had floated and hunted since he was a little boy," said his sister, Tina Rader of Butte. She said her brother, 38, of Casper, Wyo., was born and grew up in Butte. He died four months ago.

Two people suffered hypothermic shock from falling into the 36 degree water Sunday, Reeder said. Tina Rader said Monday they had been released from the hospital.

At least four other family members in a second boat witnessed the accident and managed to get to shore and find help. Family members had gathered from Butte, Wyoming, Rhode Island, and Washington.

The six rafters who were swept downstream were rescued with the combined efforts of local fishermen and nearly 50 search and rescue workers from Beaverhead and Butte-Silver Bow counties, said Butte Silver-Bow Search and Rescue Commander Brad Belke. Their identities were not released.

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