Man in critical condition after near-drowning

SANDPOINT — An unconscious 24-year-old Bonner County man was pulled from Lake Pend Oreille near City Beach Saturday morning after swimmers and a lifeguard noticed he was struggling and had slipped under the water.

Matthew D. Gray, 24, was in critical condition at Kootenai Medical Center Saturday night. He was initially transported to Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint.

Gray was swimming within the cordoned-off swimming section of City Beach near the playground area when swimmers and a lifeguard saw him go under the water, according to Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood.

A nearby swimmer pulled Gray to shore where a lifeguard and a citizen began administering CPR, Lockwood said.

Lockwood didn’t know how deep the water was or what caused Gray to get in trouble.

Chief Lockwood praised the unnamed citizen for being aware of Gray’s situation and acting.

“This guy is a great citizen,” he said. “We need more people like him who are willing to commit and make a difference?”